INDIVIDUAL Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

individual 1 of 2

noun

Definition of individual

as in person

a member of the human race every individual has value

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in entity

one that has a real and independent existence our general concept of what constitutes a chair is based on our experience with many individuals that were called chairs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nonentity

individual

2 of 2

adjective

ˌin-də-ˈvi-jə-wəl

as in subjective

of, relating to, or belonging to a single person everyone has his or her own individual opinion about the subject, but you will have to work together

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in separate

not the same or shared guest rooms at the inn have individual bathrooms

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in characteristic

serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group he's got a highly individual laugh that I would know anywhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Another worry all unions share is whether removing an individual’s identity from data is enough to protect privacy. — Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 Also, all the volunteers in Stoliker’s study were healthy individuals, not patients suffering from psychological or psychiatric disorders that potential therapies using psychedelics could be aimed at. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Its effects depend on content, individual vulnerabilities and how platforms are used. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026 The Toast survey also found that solo diners generally preferred small individual tables over bar seating or communal arrangements. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for individual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for individual

Noun

Each of those raises the odds that a young person ends up in trouble, whatever the color of his skin.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Siluanov was in the meeting, according to a person familiar with the matter.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of person

Noun

To support its ambitions, Le Large operates on a hybrid model, combining a nonprofit association that has an endowment fund and a commercial entity responsible for venue rentals and private events.

— Sarah Belmont for ArtNews, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026
Throughout the war in Iran, Chinese entities have also supplied Tehran with satellite imagery, including images of a base in Jordan that Iran struck in July, resulting in the deaths of three American service members.

— Kathleen Curlee, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of entity

Adjective

One is that with the noise in the tank, the crew will have to use the sort of personal helmet microphones as used by helicopter pilots.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
More broadly, the season moved away from formulaic dressing toward a more individual, instinctive approach to style, where contrasting references and personal expression take precedence over a single aesthetic.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of personal

Adjective

Corniel’s new settlement does not resolve separate wrongful death claims brought on behalf of Drakeo’s young son, Caiden Caldwell, by the child’s guardian.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026
Matt Schnaars, president of platform distribution and partnerships for NBCUniversal, reinforced Shapiro’s observations in a separate session.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of separate

Adjective

Bertrand Lavier’s contribution is a Formula One Renault, repainted with the thick, dynamic brushstrokes that have been characteristic of his work since the 1980s.

— Sarah Belmont for ArtNews, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026
Vaughn wrote his own obituary, filled with with his characteristic wit, weeks ago and his family posted it on his Facebook page on Monday.

— Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

The former weapon of mass destruction has been in hiding for some time, but a bounty hunter tracks him down and disrupts his quiet life before also discovering a young man who appears to be Vision’s son.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
The jury members, comprising eight men and four women, took their place in Courtroom 3 of Southwark Crown Court for the first time.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of man

Noun

There’s the menagerie of found object ephemera that provides a sense of intimacy and personality (look for the wild bit of art hanging in the spa entrance).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Bag designs were more polarized, with oversize silhouettes and revivals of heritage styles juxtaposed to fantasy minaudière designs, sculptural clutches and embellished mini bags displaying brands’ craftsmanship and doubling as objects of art.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of object

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inditing

individual

individualism

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“Individual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/individual. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of individual

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adjective

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