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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 Everything else had to be washed with a special antimicrobial detergent. Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025 Kansas coach Bill Self already has a special connection with UTEP transfer guard Ahamad Bynum. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2025 Why the Chargers drafted him: When picking this far at the end of the draft, special teams tends to be the first fit, and Bridges is eager to apply his skills. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025 Lawmakers can call themselves back to the Capitol in Boise for special sessions with a petition signed by at least 60% of the House and Senate. Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for special
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special
Adjective
  • The Giants weren’t the only ones to pass on Shedeur Sanders after an extensive scouting process.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
  • At the end of round 1, with Ward (No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans) and Jaxson Dart (No. 25 to the New York Giants) being the only quarterbacks selected, Sanders’ father, Deion, posted a video of Shedeur addressing the slide.
    Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Molds belong to the kingdom of Fungi and is a specific form of fungi that grow filament structures known as hyphae.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • From there, Groff and his costars will walk us through Darin's story, taking us into specific scenes then zipping through time to another significant point.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Hepworth has a unique advantage because of his background.
    Kody Boye, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • How To Make Egg Gravy Want to try this unique recipe at home?
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • When a curious 6-year-old met a playful dolphin, their precious connection created pure magic.
    Ronnie Li, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Rallying since November 2024, the precious metal peaked at just over $3,500 on April 22.
    Dan Irvine, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 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
  • Not only is our favorite produce abundant at the farmers' market, but family cookouts and warm-weather gatherings with friends fill the calendar, giving the perfect opportunity to make certain beloved Southern recipes that feel fit for the season.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Many of his most beloved hits, featured heavily during the April 27 show, had not even been released at the time of that last show.
    Paul Albani-Burgio, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Fairfield transfer Lou Lopez Senechal played nearly 32 minutes per game in her lone season with the Huskies in 2023-24, leading the team in 3-point percentage and averaging 15.5 points.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2025
  • The lone exceptions might be Nikola Jovic and Kevin Love.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Everybody's favorite socially awkward evil couple, Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) and Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), are doing terrible things for the Imperial Security Bureau, while Luthen and Cassian try to help the nascent rebellion movement on the planet.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The aerie, a favorite hideaway for the wife, is appointed with a custom daybed, bookcase, ceiling light, and rug—all designed by Hoffman—alongside a Seventh House LA armchair, Obsolete coffee table, vintage Willy Guhl lamp, and Roman shades cut from a Rose Uniacke fabric.
    David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Special.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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