1
as in unique
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of special
That bond is what makes this so special every summer.
—
Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
Musk, who served in a special White House post that ended May 30, became sharply critical of Trump’s package of legislative priorities that congressional agencies have said will raise deficit spending and the national debt.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 June 2025
That was why this moment—and this fruit—was so special.
—Tom Downey, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2025
Protective and special coatings like anti-glare on TV screens and computer monitors can be worn down and damaged.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for special
Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
Musk, who served in a special White House post that ended May 30, became sharply critical of Trump’s package of legislative priorities that congressional agencies have said will raise deficit spending and the national debt.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 June 2025
That was why this moment—and this fruit—was so special.
—Tom Downey, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2025
Protective and special coatings like anti-glare on TV screens and computer monitors can be worn down and damaged.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for special
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special
Adjective
-
The mayoral primary’s two leading candidates — one a fresh-faced progressive and the other an older moderate — could be stand-ins for the larger Democratic Party’s ideological divide, though Cuomo’s scandal-scarred past adds a unique tinge to the narrative.—
Anthony Izaguirre,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
-
Using strong, unique passwords for each account reduces the risk that a single breach could give someone access to multiple sources of your personal information.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair).—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
26 June 2025
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Flavors can span sweet, bitter, acidic, fatty and creamy, with specific tasting notes that might include cacao, blue cheese, pumpkin, or even bacon or chives.—
Tom Downey,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Pacers’ run could go down as a singular feat in the history of hoops.—
Sam Settleman,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
-
Make sure a singular insect doesn’t become an infestation with these tips on getting rid of carpet beetles and keeping them away for good.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
There are so very many precious things under attack in this American moment; consider the bronze bust of King that the president recently had removed from the Oval Office.—
Michael Pfleger,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2025
-
Sometimes protecting your precious gear is just as important as protecting yourself.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
At the heart of this epic volume was renowned fashion designer Angela Dean, who crafted the distinctive gowns worn by the eight leading ladies on the cover: Halle Berry, Loretta Devine, Vivica A. Fox, Regina King, Michael Michele, Elise Neal, Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith.—
Essence,
Essence,
25 June 2025
-
There is very little on the menu that’s distinctive.—
Eric E. Harrison,
Arkansas Online,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Holocaust, the fight against segregation, assassinations of beloved public figures, the war on terror, the pandemic.—
Dr. Richard Fichman,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2025
-
At Sweet Bliss Bakery With a range from turtle brownies to lavender blueberry cheesecake, Sweet Bliss Bakery is a beloved spot for all things sweet in Nelson County.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
28 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
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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
-
While the divergence between the two is fair, its explanation lies elsewhere: Investor valuations and retail prices differ because they are driven by distinct fundamentals and considerations.—
Thibault Adrien,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
Regardless of how the Fendi role shakes up, Chavarria is leaving a distinct mark on the global fashion industry.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Special.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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