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as in detachment
a small military unit with a special task or function the officer sent out a detail to patrol the perimeter of the compound

Synonyms & Similar Words

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detail

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun detail contrast with its synonyms?

The words item and particular are common synonyms of detail. While all three words mean "one of the distinct parts of a whole," detail applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process.

leave the details to others

When could item be used to replace detail?

In some situations, the words item and detail are roughly equivalent. However, item applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated.

every item on the list

When might particular be a better fit than detail?

While in some cases nearly identical to detail, particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item.

a description that included few particulars

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 detail
Noun
Zooming in reveals a loss of detail on the trees and branches. PC Magazine, 22 May 2025 The settlement demand letters, and the settlement amounts, were first reported on by LAist, but with key details redacted. Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Verb
The scientists detailed their findings online May 22 in the journal Science. Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 22 May 2025 The episode details the saga between the Mellieses and Fair, Marina Anderson and Janelle Smiley, who all performed as mermaids at The Wreck Bar. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for detail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detail
Noun
  • Format each point clearly with line breaks between items.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • Menswear items were fused with women’s ready-to-wear which conveyed how comfortable the global artist was with enmeshing differing energies together mainly masculine and feminine energies.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • The fact is Trump made a lot of big promises about ending the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, but has so far not been able to deliver.
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 16 May 2025
  • The fact that the LCDE works in arcane mountainous regions of the Philippines where rebel groups also operate had periodically been used as a cudgel by security forces looking for a scapegoat.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • The point isn’t detachment but learning how not to lose yourself in the process of managing someone else.
    Moira Forbes, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • The district walked back the idea, but the move sparked public outcry and raised questions about whether splitting a school district — a process called detachment — has to be approved by voters in a public election.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • In addition, many of the job posted on giant job boards are out-of-date or ghost jobs, posted for a variety of reasons including EEO and creating the public perception that the company is thriving.
    Rebecca Fraser-Thill, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • With time, Dewan’s father eventually went back to school, got a solid state job, and worked at the post office and a hospital.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • Longchamp’s international expansion began in the wake of World War Two, when young Americans stationed to Paris purchased its products.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 20 May 2025
  • Nghe was one of more than a dozen people stationed at a highway checkpoint outside the village of Trang Bang on June 8, 1972, as 9-year-old Phan Thi Kim Phuc and other villagers were mistaken for the enemy and bombarded by the South Vietnamese air force.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • The Un Certain Regard selection centers on Colin, a shy London lad played by Harry Melling, who encounters the smoldering and charismatic leader of a motorcycle club named Ray, Skarsgard, on Christmas Eve at a local pub.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
  • Another dog named Chrissy is buried next to the pre-dug grave, but Jody's headstone hadn’t come in yet.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • Here is the lineup of home and road opponents, listed alphabetically. Steelers’ 2025 opponents The Steelers went 10-7 in the 2024 regular season before being blown out by the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round of the playoffs, extending Pittsburgh’s winless postseason drought to eight years.
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 14 May 2025
  • Favorite Paint Picks Drew listed Farrow & Ball’s Dimity as his favorite neutral.
    Eleni N. Gage, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • The issue comes as China increases patrols by its heavily armed coast guard near the Japan-administered, Beijing-claimed Senkaku Islands, drawing stern rebukes from the U.S. ally.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
  • There has been a noticeable decline in poaching since regular patrols were performed in the park, officials said, and this work is evident through both male and female deer appearing on the cameras.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detail. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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