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Definition of individualnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective individual differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of individual are especial, particular, special, and specific. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to individual?

The words especial and individual can be used in similar contexts, but especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

When would particular be a good substitute for individual?

The words particular and individual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

When is special a more appropriate choice than individual?

The synonyms special and individual are sometimes interchangeable, but special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

When could specific be used to replace individual?

While in some cases nearly identical to individual, specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

How does the adjective individual differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of individual are especial, particular, special, and specific. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to individual?

The words especial and individual can be used in similar contexts, but especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

When would particular be a good substitute for individual?

The words particular and individual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

When is special a more appropriate choice than individual?

The synonyms special and individual are sometimes interchangeable, but special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

When could specific be used to replace individual?

While in some cases nearly identical to individual, specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

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 individual
Noun
The film shifts the focus from traditional narratives of policy and victimhood to the everyday experiences of individuals adapting to a life of constant threat, raising critical questions about whether these safety rituals signify true preparedness or a surrender to violence. Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026 Other footage from that night captured different individuals dancing and socializing in the city's streets, while other moments showed people climbing on cars and brief altercations within the crowd. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Unmanned weapons are now responsible for most battlefield casualties as small first-person view drones hunt down individual troops or vehicles. Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026 The accumulating studies on individual systems suggest that plants and their fungi cannot be understood separately. Quanta Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for individual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for individual
Noun
  • Update your emergency kit and be sure to include enough food and water to last for 3 days for each person in your home.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Moments later, the person in the video drove away, leaving the kittens behind but one man quickly stepped in.
    Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Reagan National Airport’s trademark, for example, is owned by the public entity that operates the airport — not a private company.
    Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Last month, Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes proposed an agreement that asked the city manager to explore partnering with public entities on how to use closed school campuses and other unused public properties.
    Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • But selecting one’s favorite music is always subjective.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
  • When students were asked open-ended, subjective questions with no single, correct answer, teachers could expect a wide range of responses.
    Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The Angels had the rookie’s back, rallying back from three separate deficits to earn an 8-7 victory in 11 innings on a game-ending sacrifice fly from Nolan Schanuel.
    Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
  • There is not much of a theme separate from the idea of giving folks a glimpse of what Denver has managed to collect since 1942, when the museum acquired its first women’s garment.
    Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Wu said that most patients with Lyme disease often display the characteristic bullseye rash, but not all who are infected will develop it.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
  • But tending to this climber is a practice in patience; the vine is slow to grow and can take several years before its characteristic flowers bloom.
    Claudia Guthrie, The Spruce, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • He is accused of shooting Afghan man Dad Mohammad three times in the head in an Uruzgan province wheatfield in May 2012.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Another key starter has announced their plans to return to TCU men’s basketball next season.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Saturn, meanwhile, will appear as a steady star-like object shining low on the eastern horizon in the hour preceding dawn on May 2, with the red light of Mars glowing to its lower left, almost lost in the glow of the rising sun.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The September before Curran’s arrest, Trantalis had received a restraining order against him, saying that Curran had thrown objects at him and sent life-threatening messages to him and the police chief, according to the petition for the restraining order.
    Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • What started as a personal endeavor evolved into something much larger.
    Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
  • That’s great for personal reflection, but less ideal for being out and about with others.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Individual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/individual. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.

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