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 The company previously brought us a slide-out tool that dispenses keys and other items with the flick of a thumb, and a modular multitool that allows users to pick and choose which tools to include. New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2026 Excluding net special items, the company reported adjusted earnings per share of 16 cents. Laya Neelakandan,leslie Josephs, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026 Most of us who follow the news do not put individual items in any relation with one another. Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 Unfortunately, these microplastics are largely present in a vast variety of our daily items, including food packaging, cutting boards, and cooking utensils. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for item
Recent Examples of Synonyms for item
Noun
  • The updates mark Google’s push toward an agentic web, where browsers do more than display pages and instead help users get things done faster.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026
  • These are the signature Big Think dialogues that slow things down, ditch the script, and reveal how great minds actually think.
    Daphne Koller, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Garrett remains on the run, with Melody declining to provide information on his whereabouts.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The company also said that forecasts generated by its tools could be created independently, allowing government agencies and companies to control their own information.
    Joe Wertz, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • According to Stephanie Hunt, founder and creative director of The Flairhunter, the trend is now about intentionally curating meaningful objects into living spaces rather than simply layering more stuff.
    Amanda Lauren, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
  • Otherwise, the Werk Room stuff is all fun but inconsequential.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Fans were treated to short voice memos — including snippets of Styles singing teases of new music — and a gradual drip of album details.
    Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
  • No specific details about such an agreement were provided.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Companies of all sorts need the same info, which has been available for such commercial equipment as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), refrigerators, freezers, ovens, boilers, large-scale data processing equipment, windows, doors, and more.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
  • The two richest resources for finding info about agents are Poets & Writers, a magazine and website, and the web-only database Publishers Marketplace.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said Friday during an interview with Fox Business News that the particulars of a plan would be released in Davos.
    Kevin Breuninger,Spencer Kimball,Alex Harring, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Some of the particulars of the incident remain unclear.
    Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This two-story house provides a generous living space with its five bedrooms and four baths.
    Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Durden’s journey with the Patriots starts, like most great stories, at the very bottom.
    Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The fan notably appeared to remove his Durant jersey at some point before the second clip began.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 25 Jan. 2026
  • At no point in any of the videos reviewed by CNN can Pretti be seen wielding a weapon; he is seen carrying a cellphone in one hand earlier in the encounter.
    Thomas Bordeaux, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Item.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/item. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on item

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