SPECIAL-NEEDS Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

special-needs

adjective

Definition of special-needs

as in disabled

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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 special-needs Weighill said she was motivated to vote on issues concerning the care of people with special needs in group homes because of her special-needs child. — Roger Simmons, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026 Roell was later accused of abusing nonverbal special-needs students at Crosby Elementary School, authorities said. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2026 The couple had a son, Colin, and founded The Denver Foundation to help special-needs children after Colin was diagnosed with severe autism. — Sophie Clausen, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 Those organizations then help students access educational opportunities ranging from tutoring and special-needs services to career training, educational technology, dual-enrollment courses and private school tuition where appropriate. — Jeffrey S. Trimbath, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2026 Reliability becomes even more critical in special-needs transportation environments, where coordination, communication, and timing often carry heightened importance for students, caregivers, and school systems. — Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 2 June 2026 The great thing about Coverdell accounts is that they can be used before college for expenses like private school, tutoring, uniforms, and even special-needs services. — Sarah Scott, Parents, 2 June 2026 One minute, my paintings were going to HSS; the next, to foster homes — no, schools for special-needs kids. — Blake Crisses, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2026 Alejandro was non-verbal and had attended Greater Heights Academy, a West Kendall school for special-needs children. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for special-needs

Adjective

He is listed on the injury report as recovering from a concussion and ailing neck.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Caminero was replaced by Mullins at third base and hobbled off the field with an ailing left foot.

— Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of ailing

Adjective

At trial, prosecutors showed the jury a video of Oren Alexander raping an incapacitated 17-year-old girl in 2009.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
Talking about wills, medical wishes, funeral arrangements or who will handle the finances if a parent becomes incapacitated can feel intrusive, particularly when a parent is still healthy and independent.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of incapacitated

Adjective

Pilots who feel fatigued or unfit to fly must report it and be removed from duty by the airline, according to the FAA.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
There is exactly no evidence that trans identity makes individuals unfit to serve, and this move is a clear escalation in the administration’s attempts to simply remove trans people from American life.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfit

Adjective

For example, Levin said Meta never acknowledged that at least one No Kings creator’s account was also suspended on the day the No Kings account was disabled.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 3 Nov. 2026
Senior citizens and disabled tenants say losing parking threatens their independence and may end up displacing the city’s most vulnerable residents.

— Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of disabled

Adjective

Alex Karalius, who lives in Salford near Manchester, was taking his two dachshunds for a walk on June 23, 2026, when he was suddenly fell unwell.

— Adam England, PEOPLE, 13 Oct. 2026
Get Ready with Me Colorado Vicky, the deeply mentally unwell and obscure influencer who somehow made her way onto the algorithm of a middle school girl, is another classic role in Johnson’s wheelhouse.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of unwell

Adjective

Someone who is paraplegic has very different needs than someone who is an ambulatory wheelchair user versus someone who lives in chronic pain.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
On the island, the team makes the acquaintance of Rex (Hayden Chamberlain), a paraplegic dog who has been stranded there for two years and in that time has befriended the dinosaurs and constructed an elaborate treehouse for himself.

— Caspar Salmon, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of paraplegic

Adjective

Ahead of Wednesday night’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, Ridly Greig was nursing his own lower-body injury, and Tyler Kleven was too sick to play.

— Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026
The state’s health department cautions that the true number is most certainly higher because not everyone who gets sick seeks medical care.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of sick

Browse Nearby Words

specially

special-needs

specialness

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Style

“Special-needs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special-needs. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of special-needs

adjective

Example Sentences

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