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 There will be more than 40 artists selling handmade crafts and giftable food items, as well as food vendors and raffle baskets. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025 The item was approved as part of the board's consent agenda along with two other items. Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2025 Butane, a flammable gas, cannot be shipped and is the only item omitted from this kit. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025 Library support group looking for donations The collectibles donation team of the Friends of Canyon Hills Library is in need of items for the glass display cases at Canyon Hills Library. Sharon Hlapcich, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for item
Recent Examples of Synonyms for item
Noun
  • And while handing Ole Miss its first loss of the year was reason to celebrate, things got pretty somber rather quickly for the Bulldogs after learning the injury status of one of their top playmakers.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
  • In addition, a stranger will come to town that will shake things up for Sharon and recontextualize both her past and her present.
    Alamin Yohannes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The dearth of information has repeatedly led to inaccuracies in media reports, and on sanctions and law enforcement lists.
    Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Island of the Dolls Truly the stuff of Chucky nightmares, Mexico’s Island of the Dolls—La Isla de las Muñecas—amid the Xochimilco canals south of Mexico City is known for hundreds of dolls displayed throughout the island.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025
  • And the public gets some wild movies and TV shows that would otherwise never get made, doing crazy-stupid stuff like recreating Napoleonic-era sea battles off the coast of the Galapagos.
    John Lopez, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Trump also revoked Bolton's security detail, which was in place because of threats from Iran.
    NPR, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Forest’s financial position is outlined in more detail here, but in short, they are estimated to be on the wrong side of these financial rulings.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Weiss is also accused of illegally accessing info on 1,300 additional students, according to the indictment.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Generic contact info tied to the suspicious domain Official sites list multiple, verifiable contacts.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The process can be slow, and most people in immigration detention and in immigration court do not have legal representation to argue the particulars of their cases.
    Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Deadline reported last month (see below) that Wallace had filed the High Court lawsuit, and now BBC News has seen legal documents revealing the particulars of his claim.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.
    Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • This would provide 20 two-story units and eight one-story, one-bedroom units.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This last point is stressed through Kizzi’s simmering competitiveness.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The 49ers were poised to answer with their first points, but the Falcons’ Kaden Ellis intercepted a Jones pass that Jauan Jennings bobbled at the Falcons’ 18.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Item.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/item. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on item

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