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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
Perhaps most importantly, Vrabel clearly cares deeply about the Patriots as individuals. Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025 Government should create the conditions for every individual to thrive — by providing quality education, public safety, health services, and infrastructure that improve daily life. Pioneer Press Elections Team, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Snell didn’t sign with Los Angeles to add more to his individual list of accolades, either. Andy McCullough, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2025 The impact of individual protests and boycotts is difficult to measure, but Israeli producers and filmmakers agree that calls to isolate the Israeli industry have been broadly successful. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for individual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for individual
Noun
  • Besides religion, what are other possible reasons a person might have executed a forgery?
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
  • For more than 40 years, the person responsible for the brutal rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl on Long Island has eluded capture.
    Lauren del Valle, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • China has its tight controls on all online activity, maintaining bans on top American digital entities such as Google Search, Facebook, Instagram and Reddit.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2025
  • By separating, the two new entities should trade at multiples closer to their industry peers, and their combined values should be worth more than what DuPont currently trades at, which was around $76 per share on Monday for a market capitalization of about $32 billion.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • On one level its assessment can be quite subjective, and there’s a degree of connoisseurship.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The requirements for a Purple Heart are more clearly defined, while the percentage of disability declared by the VA is far more subjective.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Croup swells the upper area of the passageways— lungs are a separate issue.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 14 Oct. 2025
  • During three separate Starship launches since October, SpaceX returned the massive spacecraft's rocket booster at its South Texas launch site to be caught by its giant tower with metal arms.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • At the vacation rentals below, uncover all that is distinct and dreamy in Scotland, from coastal cottages to Georgian manor homes.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The fake tundra surrounding the cast definitely had a distinct odor to it.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Jones was chosen from among seven applicants -- six men and one woman -- living in Zone 4.
    Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2025
  • By the mid-1970s, women spent much less time cooking, and men picked up little of the slack.
    Alice Callahan, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In consultation with Todd Arrington, former Director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, the Protocol Gift Unit opted to purchase a replica of a sword in the Eisenhower collection rather than removing an object from the collection.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Some of the gusty winds could last into Tuesday morning along the Northeast coast and could down tree branches and send unsecured objects flying.
    Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The performance opened with Hoying singing live, adding a personal touch to the tribute.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance products.
    Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Individual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/individual. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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