individual 1 of 2

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as in separate
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 life and death of any individual became merely something to be haggled over in bureaucratic ministries: who was an alien, who should be imprisoned as an enemy alien, who should be deported to certain death? Celia Bell july 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025 Here is what the bill proposed: Sales and marketing banned to individuals under 21. Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 22 July 2025
Adjective
Despite this imbalance, both the individual and collective themes of the musical reflect the affirming values of the source material: believing in yourself and caring for your community. Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025 While their individual shows have been cut by the network, the trio also star in another house flipping competition show, The Flip Off, which is set to return to HGTV. Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for individual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for individual
Noun
  • Any reasonable person would say that makes no sense.
    Randi Braun, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • The person jumped into the water on the 100 block of North Water Street at about 10:44 p.m. on July 20, the department said in an email.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • The content and opinions expressed are solely those of the entities mentioned and/or quoted in this article and do not represent those of the publication.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 12 July 2025
  • Those recent struggles have led the French Professional League to shake up its structure and become an entity owned by French clubs and private equity, following the successful model of the Premier League.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • To celebrate that landmark album turning 50, here’s one longtime Fleetwood Mac fan’s unabashedly subjective countdown of their best songs, from the massive pop hits that defined their most successful lineup to assorted album cuts and highlights of their earliest recordings. 40.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 11 July 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 July 11, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • The rate is separate from sectoral tariffs placed on steel, aluminum and autos, and shortly copper.
    Jenni Reid, CNBC, 11 July 2025
  • Milwaukee police are investigating two separate shootings on July 10 that left two people, including a young child, dead.
    Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Consider Stapleton International Airport’s reincarnation as Denver’s Central Park neighborhood, or suburban Chicago’s Glenview Naval Air Station’s rebirth as The Glen, a live-dine-play-shop community featuring 2,000 homes in eight distinct enclaves.
    Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Literature has a distinct ability to illuminate truth’s multiplicities; writers like Ullmann remind readers that fact and fiction are fragile categories, and that collapsing them can yield enthralling results.
    Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • The Wimbledon men's final between three-time Grand Slam winner Sinner and Alcaraz (a five-time Grand Slam champ) comes less than two months after Alcaraz stormed back from a huge deficit to win the French Open in five sets on June 8.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
  • Take Eric, a man in his late sixties who has served some thirty-five years and will never be released.
    Brooke Allen, New Yorker, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • That’s much larger than the two previous interstellar objects, ‘Oumuamua in 2017 and comet 2I/Borisov in 2019.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • My life is my people, the gentle hills of the Marche region, and the objects that hold and transmit emotions.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • This large travel backpack is ideal for short weekend or overnight trips, or it can be used as a personal item on a flight.
    Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025
  • The chatbot’s search for Musk’s personal views on the topic likely falls into the same category.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Individual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/individual. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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