Definition of detailednext
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detailed

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verb

past tense of detail

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective detailed differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of detailed are circumstantial, minute, and particular. While all these words mean "dealing with a matter fully and usually point by point," detailed stresses abundance or completeness of detail.

a detailed analysis of the event

When might circumstantial be a better fit than detailed?

Although the words circumstantial and detailed have much in common, circumstantial implies fullness of detail that fixes something described in time and space.

a circumstantial account of our visit

In what contexts can minute take the place of detailed?

The words minute and detailed can be used in similar contexts, but minute implies close and searching attention to the smallest details.

a minute examination of a fossil

When could particular be used to replace detailed?

The meanings of particular and detailed largely overlap; however, particular implies a precise attention to every detail.

a particular description of the scene of the crime

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of detailed
Adjective
The handle is made from Sakura Birch wood – the detailed wood grain reveals itself through its smooth polished finish, making each one look distinctly different from any other. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 7 July 2026 The roads specialist built a system that turns ordinary dashcam footage into a detailed assessment of road conditions, repair costs, and community impact in hours instead of weeks. Vicki Phillips, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Verb
Casa Bonita serves thousands of diners each week, and actors previously detailed several incidents involving guests that had staff concerned for their safety. Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 9 July 2026 As my colleague Jonathan Chait detailed in an essay earlier last week, this DSA isn’t just liberalism in a hurry. David Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for detailed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detailed
Adjective
  • The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Platner’s top strategist, Dan Moraff, didn’t want to spring for a thorough background check, which can take weeks and cost around $20,000.
    Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • What followed is a thorough defense of the show, centered on the program’s core free speech rights to determine who to interview and when.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026
Adjective
  • As in Rohmer’s films, the nuances here involve intricate dialogue.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 July 2026
  • The earthmoving, landscaping and intricate system of water features will be the most extensive at any of the approximately 250 golf courses in Mexico, transforming the open desert landscape of southern Baja into a lush and secluded environment.
    Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • He was appointed for that competition’s 2022 final, having taken charge of the Europa League final a year earlier.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026
  • Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb has been appointed as the head of a new White House group to study unidentified anomalous phenomena or UAP, a new catch-all term for UFOs that might appear not just in the air but also in space or underwater.
    Leonard David, Space.com, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • Sonni-Lambie spent last season excelling for the under-18s and was nominated for the league’s player of the season award after scoring 21 goals, one of which was from the halfway line.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • It was nominated for 10 Tony Awards in 2015, including best musical.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • The mother, Yadira, applied for asylum and listed Wilber, who was 15 at the time, and his younger sister, as dependents of her case.
    Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Multiple bottled coffee drinks did not have the contents listed on the label.
    Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • The groomer parks in your driveway or at your curb, brings your dog into the vehicle and handles the full appointment on-site.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • Huffman was 19 and enrolled at UC Santa Barbara on a full-ride volleyball scholarship.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • As if Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding at Madison Square Garden wasn’t elaborate enough, multiple people left the venue with designer bags.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 July 2026
  • Erdogan greeted Trump with an elaborate ceremony involving military officials on horseback and jets overhead emitting red, white and blue smoke.
    Seung Min Kim, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Verb
  • Neill died on Monday in Sydney, according to a statement posted to the actor’s social media page.
    Mark Kennedy, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
  • Video posted on social media had shown people fleeing as flames shot out the single-story building and black smoke billowed into the sky.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Detailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detailed. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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