Definition of itemnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun item contrast with its synonyms?

The words detail and particular are common synonyms of item. While all three words mean "one of the distinct parts of a whole," item applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated.

every item on the list

When might detail be a better fit than item?

The synonyms detail and item are sometimes interchangeable, but detail applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process.

leave the details to others

When would particular be a good substitute for item?

Although the words particular and item have much in common, particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item.

a description that included few particulars

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 item In her May 29 letter, Wolff said supplemental funding requests of any source should be a tool of last resort and that the state would not accept any new line-item funding requests that do not have prior approval. Clark Corbin, Idaho Statesman, 18 July 2026 According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the former couple is splitting items including their homes, cars and intellectual properties. Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026 Crime scene detectives were seen removing paper bags full of items from the apartment throughout the morning. Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026 Popular items from Away, Béis, Travelpro, Tumi, and Samsonite will likely be the first to sell out, so don’t wait to shop. Kayla Becker, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for item
Recent Examples of Synonyms for item
Noun
  • Staging a great needle drop isn’t the same thing as directing a great movie.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 July 2026
  • The nice thing is there’s a lot of versatility in terms of shape and design—they can be pleated, flat-front, voluminous, straight-cut, colorful, etc.
    Talia Abbas, Vogue, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • One expert noted that turning satellite data into information useful to firefighters and forestry managers will take some time.
    Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Hart went into writing the ballad with that information, but the rest was up to him.
    Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • At 15 years old, Boubacar Sidibe already had a good grip on this firefighting stuff at Monday's first day of camp.
    Noel Brennan, CBS News, 13 July 2026
  • The Five Star Weekend (Peacock) Jennifer Garner’s new series, The Five Star Weekend, based on the novel by Elin Hilderbrand, is about a woman who invites friends from her past to visit her luxury Nantucket estate for a weekend of girl stuff.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
Noun
  • For the most up-to-date info on delays or cancellations, download your airline's app, sign up for text alerts, or use tracking sites like FlightAware.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
  • Here are the plans that these grocery stores across Kansas City have for Independence Day and where to find more info.
    Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • His past medical reports have been criticized for offering limited detail and including statistics that some health professionals have viewed with skepticism.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
  • The department didn’t provide details on why the officer believed Guerrero was a public safety risk.
    Caroll Alvarado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Noun
  • Associated Press writers Pan Pylas and Jill Lawless contributed to this story.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • Especially since there are so many stories already inside the game with the campaign aspect.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • Another Finnish newspaper would soon supply the detail that seals it, tracing what looks like the same truck to a for-sale listing on Facebook around Midsummer, its particulars matching the vehicle in the footage.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Its simple formula sets the viewer up for at least one (usually more) scare every 10 minutes or so, slowly revealing the particulars of the plot without sacrificing the story’s anxious mystery.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • But after losing by 32 points, the Hawks don’t have the point differential tiebreaker on their side.
    Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
  • After an 0 for 6, three turnover game on Monday, Goldin was better Thursday, delivering eight points and nine rebounds in 27 minutes.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Item.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/item. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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