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special

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of special

1 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 of special

alone, lone, one, one-off, only, singular, sole, solitary, sui generis, unique
Words Related to special

single, solo, unaccompanied, unattended

incomparable, inimitable, matchless, peerless, unequaled (or unequalled), unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled (or unrivalled), unsurpassable, unsurpassed

distinct, distinctive, individual, separate

nonce
Near Antonyms of special

divers, manifold, multifarious, myriad

assorted, heterogenous, miscellaneous, mixed, motley, patchwork, promiscuous, varied

popular, prevailing, prevalent, rampant

perennial, recurrent, repeated

2 granted special treatment or attention

  • one student who was treated as special by the teacher
Synonyms of special

beloved, cherished, darling, dear, fair-haired, favored, favorite, fond, loved, pet, precious, sweet, white-headed
Words Related to special

admired, adored, appreciated, esteemed, relished, revered

prized, treasured

preferred
Near Antonyms of special

abhorred, abominated, despised, detested, disdained, disfavored, disliked, execrated, hated, loathed, unfavorite

abandoned, forgotten, ignored

alienated, estranged
Antonyms of special

unbeloved

3 of a particular or exact sort

  • youʼll need special permission from the fire department to do that
Synonyms of special

concrete, distinct, especial, express, peculiar, precise, set, specific
Words Related to special

lone, only, separate, single, sole, solitary

distinctive, exclusive, individual, unique

limited, restricted

differentiated, specialized

given, specified
Near Antonyms of special

general, generalized, generic, nonexclusive, universal
Antonyms of special

nonspecific

Synonym Discussion of special

special, especial, specific, particular, individual mean of or relating to one thing or class. special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.
    • special ingredients
especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.
    • a matter of especial importance
specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.
    • children with specific nutritional needs
particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.
    • a ballet step of particular difficulty
individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.
    • valued each individual opinion

Learn More about special

  1. Dictionary: Definition of special Spanish Central: Translation of special Nglish: Translation of special for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of special for Arabic speakers

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