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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of especial
Further, studies have shown that people with more abdominal fat have smaller brain volumes especial in areas related to memory and decision making.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
The plan is to install some 17 miles of wildlife fencing to connect habitats and lower vehicle crashes, especial with deer and elk (which can weigh over 1,000 pounds and cause a lot of damage to passenger vehicles).
—Noël Fletcher, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for especial
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
The plan is to install some 17 miles of wildlife fencing to connect habitats and lower vehicle crashes, especial with deer and elk (which can weigh over 1,000 pounds and cause a lot of damage to passenger vehicles).
—Noël Fletcher, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for especial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for especial
Adjective
-
Beginning with 1982’s Conan the Barbarian, the decade gave him an extraordinary run, taking in action, sci-fi and even comedy, pairing with Danny DeVito for 1988’s Twins.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Rather than find the extraordinary in their pasts to explain their crimes, he was forced to conclude that no such demonic forces or cataclysmic motives need exist.—
NPR,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
With spoofing tools, criminals can mimic real bank phone numbers and even use AI to reproduce familiar voices.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The common ingredients are incredible storytellers who are excited about trying to make a series that feels authentic and realistic, and maybe feels familiar, but in a way that also feels elevated and sophisticated.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The work, led by Professor Zijian Li, confirms that the synergistic effect of K+ and C3N4 co-intercalation significantly reduces the electrostatic interaction between Zn2+ and the [VOn] layer, improves the specific capacity and cycling stability.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
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Get specific prompts to optimize emails, memos and presentations for tone, context and audience.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This translation by Nancy Naomi Carlson preserves the rich musicality of the original French, as well as its frequent use of wordplay and often unusual word choice.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Ostrich Leather Recognizable by its distinctive quill pattern and supple texture, ostrich leather combines durability with an unusual kind of beauty.—
Cortne Bonilla,
Vogue,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The scale of this social media-free existence felt more human, more intimate.—
Lindsay Lowe,
Parents,
8 Nov. 2025
-
With just 13 bedrooms overlooking Bantry Bay, the hotel stands as an intimate ode to art and viticulture.—
Emily Baldwin,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Black walnuts have an extremely hard shell that requires special tools or a heavy hammer to crack.—
Randy Moll,
Arkansas Online,
11 Nov. 2025
-
To help compensate for the closure, the lower-level fine dining restaurant, George’s at the Cove, will offer lunch and dinner service when it’s not closed for special events, and its Level2 dining room and bar will remain open during the construction work.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Sephora‘s Dubai Mall flagship has long been buzzed about by brands as being the productive location in the world, underscoring the region’s exceptional consumer appetite for premium beauty products.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
7 Nov. 2025
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In this way and in many others, Rosalía is exceptional.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This was a decisive turn away from Hasina’s India-first posture and toward closer alignment with Beijing.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
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Highly acidic foods like pickles and tomatoes will react with the can after an extended period of time, causing both taste and texture changes so pay particularly close attention to expiration dates on these items.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Especial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especial. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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