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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective special differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of special are especial, individual, particular, and specific. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

When would especial be a good substitute for special?

The meanings of especial and special largely overlap; however, especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

When is it sensible to use individual instead of special?

While the synonyms individual and special are close in meaning, individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

When is particular a more appropriate choice than special?

In some situations, the words particular and special are roughly equivalent. However, particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

When can specific be used instead of special?

Although the words specific and special have much in common, specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

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 The Mary Kay annual meeting features a special cheering moment for teachers who sell makeup on the side. Lora Kelley, The Atlantic, 21 May 2025 The wait has been long for Short, who has 18 nominations but last won in 2014, as the host of an AFI Mel Brooks tribute special. Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025 This Charlotte Observer special report takes a closer look at North Carolina’s mental health crisis, and how local young people and adults have been impacted since COVID-19. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 21 May 2025 Wayside Waifs is running a dog adoption special through Sunday. Trish Stinger, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for special
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special
Adjective
  • The only choice Hamas has is death or surrender, even if this comes at the cost of the remaining hostages and an even bigger humanitarian catastrophe to more than 2 million Palestinians in the enclave.
    Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
  • The Moorehead family isn’t the only one left to navigate an unexplainable tragedy.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • By continually adapting to each user’s specific needs, Dysolve’s AI not only identifies these errors but also actively retrains the brain, enhancing the user’s capacity to process and interpret language.
    Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • The organization has demanded that the Channel 4 board of directors publish specific proposals to substantiate claims that indies will ultimately benefit from this restructuring.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • But in the middle is this new, unique tea experience.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • Despite building a brand around his unique — and sometimes hard to decipher — southern accent, Moore sees Legette as a student of the game.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • The precious moment a boy with cerebral palsy managed to blow out his own birthday candle has gone viral online.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
  • Commodity Funds: 19 Best Buys These are the most cost-efficient funds holding either commodity futures or precious metals.
    William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 24 May 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
  • Just in time for National Prosecco Week (June 24–30), the Prosecco DOC Consortium is raising awareness for this beloved wine through in-store promotions, restaurant events, and tastings across the U.S., including a recent Raleigh, North Carolina event hosted by Master of Wine Sheri Morano.
    Emily Price, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • The 2013 death of James Gandolfini pretty much put to rest any possibility the beloved gangster series would someday be revived.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • In his lone college season at Duke, Flagg solidified himself as the best prospect in the country, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks.
    Christian Clark, New York Times, 13 May 2025
  • The lone survivor was identified as Anton Tselykh, 38, of Seattle, according to the sheriff's office.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 16 May 2025
  • Series regular Tony Todd, who died last fall, returns for a touching posthumous scene that references another fan favorite character.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Special.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on special

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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