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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

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
For Harris, the political scientist, there will always be individuals who try to justify or make excuses for a shooting like the killing of Pretti in Minneapolis. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026 Each individual can claim up to five devices, possibly resulting in a maximum payout of $100. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
With the right combination of tools, individual creators can now attempt projects that once required full production teams. Paul Ratner, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026 The Cubs eschewed individual introductions during the opening ceremonies, bringing everyone from the 2016 club out together for reasons that made no sense. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for individual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for individual
Noun
  • The bill would also require businesses that sell delivery goods, such as grocery delivery providers or DoorDash, to list a comparison of the delivery price versus the regular price if the goods were to be bought in-person at the store.
    Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
  • If those extra months incur large public healthcare costs, or if that person’s continued life means one’s great grandchildren receive a substantially smaller bequest, those factors typically aren’t reflected in the patient’s personal willingness to pay.
    James Broughel, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Starship is capital-intensive and when packaged with an already cash-generating business like Starlink, the risk can be absorbed within a single public entity.
    Sasirekha Subramanian, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Wexner and his charitable entities have given more than $200 million to Ohio State, his alma mater, which has, in turn, honored him through the naming of its football facility, medical center and the Wexner Center for Arts.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Some two decades after the debacle of Iraq, the subjective preferences of metropolitan journalism are more widely exposed and, as the implosion of the Washington Post illustrates, the owners of media organs are revealed to be aggressively self-interested.
    Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • This notion is defined in terms of what humans can do, rather than in terms of a subjective quality that humans hold, intelligence.
    Eric Siegel, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The 25-year-old Chiefs receiver appears in a separate photo posted to the same Instagram account.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
  • While donated blood is called whole blood, stewards of the blood supply will split and spin blood into separate bags with just red blood cells or with the plasma.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The mice with cancer remained free of the plaques characteristic of cognitive decline.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Consequently, the characteristic 'raccoon eyes' seen after rhinoplasty has become uncommon with Piezo surgery.
    Lyssanoel Frater, Ascend Agency, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Martinez and another man were charged in October with assault with a deadly weapon, accused of following the agents' vehicles and initiating the collision with Exum's SUV that led to the shooting on Chicago's south side.
    James Hill, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Pretti was shot while agents were evidently seeking to detain a man, Jose Huerta-Chuma, whom Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said had an extensive criminal record including domestic assault.
    Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The method allows the creation of 3D objects with varying mechanical and optical properties — such as hardness and transparency — at the pixel level using a single, inexpensive material.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026
  • PrimeSense, Maizels' prior startup, developed technology that allowed sensors to detect the distance between objects, and was integrated into Apple's Face ID sensor starting in 2017.
    Kif Leswing, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Investigators also found that Cowles linked his company card to his personal PayPal account and transferred funds to third parties.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Use moodier colors and personal details to create a cozy, lived-in feel.
    Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Individual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/individual. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.

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