1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
a candidate who handled the stunning defeat with especial grace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in familiar
closely acquainted
he told his especial friends about the job offer but kept everyone else in the dark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in specific
of a particular or exact sort
with a very ordinary lawn, we don't have any especial need for a gardener
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of especial
Both took especial glee in going after Ramaswamy, a Trump for the millennial set so automatic in his Trumpier-than-thou responses to any question that Christie lampooned him as a sort of ChatGPT version of a Republican candidate.
—
Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2023
The city has an especial affinity for literature.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 2 Mar. 2022
Delivery is important in any form of storytelling, and in observational comedy cadence is the especial engine of wit.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2023
This project had drawn his attention to Pine Island Bay as a coastal area where the outer edge of glaciers might calve or break apart into icebergs with especial rapidity.
—Marissa Grunes, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for especial
Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2023
The city has an especial affinity for literature.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 2 Mar. 2022
Delivery is important in any form of storytelling, and in observational comedy cadence is the especial engine of wit.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2023
This project had drawn his attention to Pine Island Bay as a coastal area where the outer edge of glaciers might calve or break apart into icebergs with especial rapidity.
—Marissa Grunes, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for especial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for especial
Adjective
-
Under his leadership, Apple launched the Watch, expanded into the health sector, and maintained extraordinary logistical consistency despite global disruptions.—
Nate Bennett,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
In both cases, the National Weather Service offered clear warnings of potentially life-threatening weather events; in Los Angeles, warnings were given days before extraordinary winds — of up to 100 mph — slammed a region already suffering from a record-dry fall.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
The whole first half of the season saw Hamilton struggle to adapt to the Italian race car, and Silverstone was another chapter in a familiar story.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
-
Managers saw themselves as solving the equivalent of familiar jigsaw puzzles.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
Adjective
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This approach helps LLMs produce more accurate, contextually relevant, and up-to-date information, especially when dealing with specific domains or real-time data.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
While some argue for greater standardization to facilitate co-productions and streamline funding processes, others emphasize the importance of preserving national cultural identities and specific local needs through distinct funding mechanisms.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
That said, league officials presenting spending data and other economic information to owners and team leaders isn’t unusual.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
14 July 2025
-
Although Usonian in design, this house has an unusual hexagonal structure.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
But in the end, the need for intimate human connection outweighed the promise of professional opportunity.—
Sophie Okolo,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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Square Peg Social will include private dinners, special programming, and intimate gatherings desgned to foster conversation and collaboration for those looking to expand their careers in the world of film.—
Rance Collins,
IndieWire,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
And pay special attention to those easy-to-wear Madewell barrel jeans, which are truly beloved among Glamour editors.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
8 July 2025
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Missouri’s offer, passed during a hectic special session last month, would fund up to 50% of new construction or stadium improvements.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Drought Severe to exceptional drought conditions were prevalent for much of south-central Texas when the downpours came, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 July 2025
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One traveler noted their exceptional comfort during a trip to Portugal, praising their elevated look and all-day wearability.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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The figure surpasses that of the closest rival, China, which had 317 companies represented.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
10 July 2025
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But a closer read shows the linguistic dance that big companies are engaged in.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Especial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especial. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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