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
Not every governor hands out rosary beads, especial rosary beads blessed by the late Pope Francis.
—
Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025
To one pursuing the even tenor of his usual routine, the chewing of coca gives no especial sensation, in fact the only result seems to be a negative one, an absence of the customary desire for food and sleep.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for especial
Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025
To one pursuing the even tenor of his usual routine, the chewing of coca gives no especial sensation, in fact the only result seems to be a negative one, an absence of the customary desire for food and sleep.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for especial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for especial
Adjective
-
Both political insurgents were elected under extraordinary circumstances.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
The extraordinary Denis Compton was one of England’s great batters over two decades from the late 1930s to the late 50s but was good enough as a footballer to win the league and FA Cup as a winger with Arsenal.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Many of the precautions a traveler could take are similar to those that became familiar at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
Details about the underlying allegation remain murky, but the department sources familiar with the matter said the LAPD’s secretive Special Operations Division tailed officers who were under investigation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Modern vehicles do have more sensitive electronics, and following manufacturer-specific procedures is always the safest approach.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
Professors and departments are urged to make these both general and specific.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
But, in other respects, your approach to the future might have been unusual, at least by our modern lights.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
They have also been shown to exhibit play behavior with objects in their enclosures, highly unusual behavior for a reptile.—
Craig Stanford,
Big Think,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
On March 7, the brand hosted an intimate event in Los Angeles that brought together creators, industry insiders and advocates to explore how technology, personal care and community intersect.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
-
This leads us on an intimate, and at times funny, journey of self-discovery and missteps told in five chapters over the course of a critical year in Robin’s life.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
The evening was a huge step forward for the Wild special teams, which struggled in a pair of losses in Denver.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2026
-
Many families experience a disconnect between generations around travel and making special times, especially as families spread farther apart geographically.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Toulouse pride themselves on a blend of youth and experience in their ranks, but this teenager was exceptional.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
This may seem especially strange given birds’ exceptional vision.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sources close to Canvot, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, have told The Athletic that the message from Glasner after that error was simple.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
López was one of the fiercest critics of then-Mayor Fúnez, a supporter of the mine and close ally of Honduras’ former president, Xiomara Castro.—
Marlon González,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Especial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especial. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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