1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
a candidate who handled the stunning defeat with especial grace
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
-
Occasionally, the texts mention our extraordinary political moment.—
Sarah Stankorb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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This extraordinary collection of two volumes of poems and a third of prose shows the empathy, intuition, and exquisite use of the natural world that make Oliver the heiress of Emerson and Thoreau.—
AudioFile Magazine
September 30,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Spooky season is officially in full swing and Nashville's nightlife scene is getting a haunted makeover with Halloween pop-up bars transforming familiar haunts into eerie, immersive experiences.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
Nashville Tennessean,
2 Oct. 2025
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For those who aren’t familiar, RedZone is the NFL broadcast that whisks viewers around the league to the best moments of every game on Sundays.—
Charlotte Wilder,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For Farley, who marks his fifth anniversary as CEO on Wednesday, there have been industry-wide problems to deal with, as well as Ford-specific issues that the company is still in the process of navigating.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Depending on specific risk factors, providers may recommend one or more of these tests.—
Dr. Megha Gupta,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This is not particularly unusual, and in a traditional 4-2-3-1 system, forcing a team down one side is effective.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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The lawsuit is the first to challenge the administration's unusual use of partisan messaging in government communications during the shutdown, which legal experts told NPR may violate federal ethics laws.—
Shannon Bond,
NPR,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office charged Kevin Scholz, 45, of Franklin, with capturing an intimate representation of someone without consent and with disorderly conduct in late September.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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While the figures in some of the larger canvases are reminiscent of Lucian Freud’s twisting and turning sitters, Daushvili’s strongest work is not monumental but small and intimate.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The New York Knicks have a golden opportunity to do something special this season.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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The pair both marked the milestone by sharing professional couple photos on Instagram, along with special tributes to each other.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Rivian produces adventure-ready electric vehicles with high power outputs and exceptional ground clearance.—
Charles Singh,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
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This dual-purpose design requires exceptional stiffness, vibration control, and precision engineering, allowing heavy highway loads and high-speed rail traffic to share the same structure safely.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump has previously suggested a deal was close.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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The trainer visits Pegasus daily and is like the horse’s shadow during hospital visits, keeping a close eye to ensure the safety of Pegasus and those around him.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Especial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especial. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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