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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
In the long term, Koch aims to shift his focus from physical equipment to systems that help individuals manage capital in their own lives. Jason Phillips, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025 Police in Fall River, Massachusetts, arrested five people after a street takeover involving at least 50–100 individuals over the weekend. Adam Sabes , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Further research is needed to better understand the individual roles and benefits of these compounds for bone health. T'keyah Bazin, Verywell Health, 5 Nov. 2025 Her individual score was added to her team's perfect score for a total score of 79/80. Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for individual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for individual
Noun
  • For every additional person $109 would be added.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2025
  • As a childless person who doesn’t teach I’ve been happily unaware that, due to standardized testing requirements that favor close reads of excerpts over whole books, there’s an entire generation of students who have very little contextual framework for the literature they’re being taught in school.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Moreover, promotional entity Proimágenes reports that audiovisual production has strongly boosted Colombia’s economy, generating over 570,000 hotel nights and 30,000 airline tickets, benefiting tourism and services nationwide.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
  • For example, forum participants said a person could sue a company or entity that pollutes a river because the river has the right to be pollution-free.
    Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Art might be subjective, but this deal definitely isn't.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 3 Nov. 2025
  • That last movie was a horror comedy, which can be tough since the latter is subjective, Russell said.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Boys and girls will be separate for most classes save for electives and more advanced coursework.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
  • The judgment releases the county from four separate federal lawsuits filed by various plaintiffs against officials.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • That characteristic ionization marks a full-fledged planetary nebula.
    Big Think, Big Think, 3 Nov. 2025
  • This gas then erupts from the shell of the comet, casting off solid dust and growing the halo around a comet, the coma, and its characteristic cometary tail.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is pressing charges against a man who was caught on camera touching and attempting to kiss her during a public appearance on Tuesday.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The Little Rock man who, police say, crashed while fleeing from an Arkansas State Police trooper last week now faces first-degree murder counts in the death of two teenage passengers, authorities said Wednesday.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Maintain a safe distance from water, wet items, and metal objects.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Each specimen’s unique characteristics reminded him of the patterns and patinas that distinguish the objects at the family’s haveli, or nobleman’s mansion, in the Pink City.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The resulting four-bedroom, three-bathroom residence feels both layered and deeply personal.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Nov. 2025
  • La Santa passed Wednesday’s callback inspection after the rodents either moved to new housing, gone on vacation or were more subtle about their personal waste disposal.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Individual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/individual. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.

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