SPECIAL-NEEDS Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

special-needs

adjective

Definition of special-needs

as in disabled

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 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 From there, families often consider tools like a special-needs trust. — Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for special-needs

Adjective

Escalation in the economic space would target an ailing Iranian economy, which has suffered inflation near 65% over the past year, according to Iran's central bank.

— Chris Boccia, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
In a further blow, Parini’s plans go right off the rails when Alistair has some bad news from London and leaves him in charge of the elderly, ailing Borges, then 72.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of ailing

Adjective

Though Jackson discharged hundreds of largely incapacitated patients into homes chosen, and sometimes owned, by Solano, there is little evidence that the hospital engaged in any meaningful, routine oversight.

— Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Leagues want franchises to have predictable and reliable succession plans for when a controlling owner dies or becomes incapacitated.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of incapacitated

Adjective

The complaint also alleges Wendy's failed to warn customers of the alleged danger and served food that was unfit for human consumption.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
His reelection campaign has been rocked by the allegations made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, and her senator dad, who says Miller is unfit to serve in Congress.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of unfit

Adjective

An unidentified projectile struck and disabled an oil tanker about nine nautical miles northeast of Oman’s Ash Shishah, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
An oil tanker was struck by an unknown projectile and disabled near Oman on Monday, according to an incident report from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre.

— Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of disabled

Adjective

As Florio weighed in on Aikman’s dual roles as a commentator and a consultant for the Miami Dolphins when Holley began looking unwell and started to sway in the moments leading up to him losing consciousness.

— Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt pulled out of the race shortly before the stage after feeling unwell.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of unwell

Adjective

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
Others are blind or paraplegic, using wheelchairs, walkers or canes, like her.

— Rachel Hale, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of paraplegic

Adjective

Hospital executives have begun reporting more unpaid medical bills, and experts warn health plans will raise premiums further as they're left with enrollees who are, on average, sicker and more expensive to cover.

— Christine Mai-Duc, NPR, 23 Aug. 2026
When workers become sick, exhausted, or unable to work safely, productivity falls, disruptions increase, and supply chains become more vulnerable.

— Lucy Siers, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of sick

Browse Nearby Words

specially

special-needs

specialness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Special-needs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special-needs. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of special-needs

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

kith

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes