individual 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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
The parts were all taken from the cadavers of individuals who had donated their body to Harvard upon their death, according to federal prosecutors. Chris Spargo, People.com, 23 May 2025 Like the Internet Archive’s other databases, individuals can contribute to the Wayback Machine, too. Chad De Guzman, Time, 23 May 2025
Adjective
That reality wasn’t only created by individual choices but by the different histories and circumstances that allowed one set of families to thrive and another to struggle for economic advancement. Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2025 Duchene has a respectable 18 individual scoring chances in the playoffs, per Natural Stat Trick, including 11 high-danger ones. Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for individual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for individual
Noun
  • The fungal disease does not spread from person to person, according to the CDC.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • Before Johnson and Eakins exchanged vows, Houser passed their wedding rings along the front row and asked that each person hold the rings and pray or give their blessings over them before passing them down to the next person in what's known as ring warming.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • The people holding top leadership positions at the charter and the third-party entity are also often the same people or are related, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.
    Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025
  • That would give the president free reign to create entities to get around transparency laws, CREW told the Supreme Court.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • Some boats are large enough to carry personal kayaks and camping equipment.
    Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • With traces of Bergman but also Chekhov and Ibsen, the film explores the volatile power of art and the cost of making highly personal work.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • The exact genetic fix will be different for each person, but the approach is very repeatable, said Marks, who has since left the FDA.
    Karen Weintraub, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • This is likely to prove most useful in lessons and lectures where users will be able to comfortably view the whiteboard whilst simultaneously toggling through different elements such as documents and notes.
    Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • One of the most effective ways to do this is by specializing in client segments with distinct financial needs, values, and life experiences.
    Jason Katz, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • The timber and the distinct design spoke of finality.
    Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • As Rusby talks of finding god and becoming a better man, Kev screws a silencer onto his pistol.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 26 May 2025
  • But even worse is to see the dark lessons of history, the dangerous choices of weaker men, and follow in those footsteps.
    Val Demings, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025
Noun
  • And also, the sort of exploitation that bot constructs are subjected to in this world that Martha has created meant that someone was probably going to treat it like an object at some point.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025
  • This reflected the museum’s emphasis, which dovetails with that of the donors, on the object, not the celebrity provenance.
    Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Coffee taste is subjective, and this super-rich and caramel-forward blend is extremely drinkable and reminds me of working from the coffee shop down the street from my house.
    Joe Jackson, Outside Online, 12 May 2025
  • However, a driver is not legally obligated to submit to a field sobriety test, pre-arrest test or cheek swab at a DUI checkpoint, according to the Law Offices of Grech and Parker in Riverside. Field sobriety tests are subjective and may not accurately measure sobriety, according to Bee archives.
    Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Individual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/individual. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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