1
as in only
being the one or ones of a class with no other members
the President claimed that international terrorism was a special threat that required a special way of dealing with it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loved
granted special treatment or attention
one student who was treated as special by the teacher
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in specific
of a particular or exact sort
you'll need special permission from the fire department to do that
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of special
The news arrives just days before Duran Duran kick off their European and U.K. tour with Rodgers and CHIC joining as special guests.
—
Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 2 June 2025
Reenactors will help illuminate history and help visitors imagine what life was like in the 1730s during special events and tours complete with drills, pageantry and cannon firing.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
This year’s rendition was even more special with the recent death of actor George Wendt, who played Norm on the legendary sitcom and was also Sudeikis’ uncle.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2025
Monday is when scheduled events at the cemetery include a concert by the United States Marine Band and the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a parade of colors by Veterans’ organizations and remarks from special guests.
—John Bacon, USA Today, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for special
Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 2 June 2025
Reenactors will help illuminate history and help visitors imagine what life was like in the 1730s during special events and tours complete with drills, pageantry and cannon firing.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
This year’s rendition was even more special with the recent death of actor George Wendt, who played Norm on the legendary sitcom and was also Sudeikis’ uncle.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2025
Monday is when scheduled events at the cemetery include a concert by the United States Marine Band and the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a parade of colors by Veterans’ organizations and remarks from special guests.
—John Bacon, USA Today, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for special
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special
Adjective
-
Madonna is far from the only celebrity to have been spotted with purses by Aupen — Taylor Swift was notably spotted on a date with Travis Kelce in October 2023 wearing the brand's Nirvana bag in black.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
14 June 2025
-
Yet despite the ongoing negotiations, the only trade framework the U.S. has reached is with the U.K., along with a tariff truce with China.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
For celebrities this week, the latest in hair, makeup, and nails were exalted through specific colors, styles, and of course, the agreement on what’s in this season.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
2 June 2025
-
For each position, highlight specific wins and impact.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
Astrid stands out as a positive representation of a confident and smart young woman who doesn’t rely on her beauty, but rather her instincts and her unique skill set.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
12 June 2025
-
His unparalleled talent and unique spirit created the soundtrack of so many lives around the globe, including our own.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
The wide-ranging punishments for such sinful behavior could include a prohibition on wearing gold and other precious jewelry, as well as large tithes to monastic orders and the poor.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
6 June 2025
-
On Thursday, June 5, The Valley couple, 35 and 41 years old, respectively, welcomed their fourth child into the world, announcing the precious news on Instagram.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.—
SI.com,
SI.com,
3 Aug. 2019
-
Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.—
Johannes Himmelreich,
BostonGlobe.com,
30 Mar. 2018
Adjective
-
An unusual number of the supporting players are beloved for one famous role — not just big parts, but eternal parts — that have so immortalized them in the public’s consciousness that their fictional identities have supplanted their real ones.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
-
The beloved slugger known as Big Papi built this contemporary estate, located in the Pinecrest area of Miami-Dade County, from scratch.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Nunes’ lone loss during her dominant stretch came against Peña.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
-
The lone exception was Heather Wilson, president of the University of Texas at El Paso and a former Republican member of the House of Representatives and Secretary of the Air Force during the first Trump administration.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Host Cynthia Erivo was perhaps my favorite look of the evening: a Schiaparelli ensemble.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
9 June 2025
-
She’s cited Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Miss Saigon as some of her own favorite musicals.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Special.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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