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Definition of particularnext
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particular

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective particular differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of particular are especial, individual, special, and specific. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to particular?

While the synonyms especial and particular are close in meaning, especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

When is individual a more appropriate choice than particular?

The words individual and particular can be used in similar contexts, but individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

When is it sensible to use special instead of particular?

Although the words special and particular have much in common, special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

When would specific be a good substitute for particular?

In some situations, the words specific and particular are roughly equivalent. However, specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

How does the adjective particular differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of particular are especial, individual, special, and specific. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to particular?

While the synonyms especial and particular are close in meaning, especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

When is individual a more appropriate choice than particular?

The words individual and particular can be used in similar contexts, but individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

When is it sensible to use special instead of particular?

Although the words special and particular have much in common, special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

When would specific be a good substitute for particular?

In some situations, the words specific and particular are roughly equivalent. However, 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 particular
Adjective
On a particular stretch of land along the west bank of the Anacostia River, the Dodgers’ offense is starting to show its true colors. Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026 Each of the 8 years in this Venus-cycle (known and important to ancient civilizations such as the Mayans and Babylonians) has its own particular pattern, so 2026 repeats (within about 2 or 3 days of the same date) the phenomena of 2018. Joe Rao, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
But the particulars remain obscure. Joseph J. Gonzalez, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026 Duffy said the particulars of Sunday night's staffing, however, will eventually be revealed by the NTSB after its investigation. Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for particular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for particular
Adjective
  • My room had a large bathtub right by the window, a spacious walk-in shower, and Niven Morgan bath products (a nice touch, given that the brand is from Dallas).
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The company flew Tony to Cupertino and put him up in a nice hotel with a fruit basket waiting in the room.
    Bill Gurley, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Brooks is still wont to assume that social crises are a function of our personal habits, not economic or political injustice, and his methodological tics are the same as ever.
    Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Wacha kept the Braves off the scoreboard while Salvador Perez provided the offense, hitting his first homer of the season and snapping a personal 15-inning scoreless streak.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The process involves the selective activation of what’s been handed down, which is one way to think about Emmie’s condition.
    Giles Harvey, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The Tigers are not always being selective.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • More smart scales are now including a handlebar to provide detailed insights into fat and muscle distribution across different parts of the body.
    Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The detailed biographies of every correspondent make, in themselves, a whole picture of the cultural and political life of the early twentieth century.
    Hermione Lee, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Those items are related to policies that deal with board members’ duties and requirements, meeting rules, and employment practices related to at-will employment, and employee assignments and schedules.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In fact, the rookie catcher has made an impressive splash through the first six games of her career, which includes the Storm’s annual five-game spring break trip to Tennessee.
    Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The fact that none of us got to see it, adds to the majesty and allure of the yeti, right?
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Orion is a tight space for four people to navigate, so the crew members have a careful choreography to maximize the data the astronauts can gather.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Through careful tuning of an extended Kalman filter and by taking advantage of bamboo’s natural vibration-damping properties, the system slashes control latency from 15–20 milliseconds down to just 8–10 milliseconds, enhancing responsiveness while keeping flight stable.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Ospina gives us access to the actions of these non-human protagonists—inviting us to reflect on their subjective experience and to feel the urgency and promise of their journeys.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
  • However, the process still remains the critical weak point of modern-day aviation, as predictions rely heavily on subjective and often inaccurate pilot reports.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Particular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/particular. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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