as in instance
one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like a war bonnet that is a fine example of Native American handicraft

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

How is the word example distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of example are case, illustration, instance, sample, and specimen. While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

When could case be used to replace example?

While in some cases nearly identical to example, case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

When would illustration be a good substitute for example?

The meanings of illustration and example largely overlap; however, illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

Where would instance be a reasonable alternative to example?

In some situations, the words instance and example are roughly equivalent. However, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

When is sample a more appropriate choice than example?

Although the words sample and example have much in common, sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

When might specimen be a better fit than example?

The words specimen and example can be used in similar contexts, but specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

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 example For example, during the most recent awards season, the ASU FIDM Museum celebrated with an Academy Awards Season Costume Design Speaker Series that featured conversations with Oscar-winning and nominated designers. Sophie-Claire Hoeller, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025 After all, in the early days of literacy, reading—now perhaps the paradigmatic example of a non-screen-time activity—was considered ominous; people reading silently to themselves might have seemed demented. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025 Instead of randomly testing formulas, the AI evaluates which unexplored candidate will most likely improve the target property (strength or conductivity, for example) and runs that experiment next. Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2025 Such an example would be a household receiving a 24-48 hour disconnect notice or service termination by their utility company. Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for example
Recent Examples of Synonyms for example
Noun
  • The cover image isn't the only instance where the couple is dressed in coordinating looks.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Jourdan is a relatively calm ghost (staff report objects being moved around the restaurant), but there’s a slightly more active spirit in the Courtyard Bar, where there have been three instances of an unknown source throwing a glass from across the room.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In total, the researchers analyzed 357 contemporary mosquitoes and 22 historical specimens, and used additional mosquito samples from a separate study, which beefed up the overall count to about 800.
    Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), a national database that collects emergency department injury data from a representative sample of about 100 American hospitals, the researchers applied statistical weighting to estimate national injury rates.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • An illustration of the grassroots mentality that drives the 41-year-old Barham came on one weekend in late August when Aquarium headlined a show in Memphis at the 400-capacity Hi-Tone on a Friday, then made the eight-hour, 550-mile drive to Waco, Texas, overnight.
    Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
  • As is often the case with everything surrounding Swift’s name, the T-shirt featuring a graphic illustration of otters went viral on social media.
    Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In total, the researchers analyzed 357 contemporary mosquitoes and 22 historical specimens, and used additional mosquito samples from a separate study, which beefed up the overall count to about 800.
    Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
  • In both the dinosaur mummy specimens, the skin, spikes, and hooves have not been preserved as tissue but as a sub-millimeter clay film that formed on the carcass surface soon after burial.
    Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The scientific case for exploration dates back many millions of years to continental drift when Greenland was believed to be closely connected to Norway and the British Isles.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Holt, who has six cases pending in federal court over civil rights violation claims, said as soon as he was transferred, the state began trying to get the cases dismissed as moot, citing his relocation to West Virginia.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Example.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/example. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on example

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!