SPECIFIC Synonyms: 193 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'specific' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of specific are especial , individual , particular , and special . While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species. // children with specific nutritional needs

Q: Where would 'especial' be a reasonable alternative to 'specific'?

The words especial and specific can be used in similar contexts, but especial may add implications of preeminence or preference. // a matter of especial importance

Q: When can 'individual' be used instead of 'specific'?

While the synonyms individual and specific are close in meaning, individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group. // valued each individual opinion

Q: When could 'particular' be used to replace 'specific'?

The synonyms particular and specific are sometimes interchangeable, but particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual. // a ballet step of particular difficulty

Q: When is it sensible to use 'special' instead of 'specific'?

In some situations, the words special and specific are roughly equivalent. However, special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own. // special ingredients

specific 1 of 2

adjective

spi-ˈsi-fik

Definition of specific

as in special

of a particular or exact sort we need a specific type of pen to sign the diplomas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in explicit

so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning specific instructions regarding the interrogation of prisoners

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

specific

2 of 2

noun

as in fact

a single piece of information although the speech was long on rhetoric and platitudinous generalities, it lacked specifics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in characteristic

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind the two submissions differ only in certain specifics

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in drug

a substance or preparation used to treat disease quinine is a specific for malaria

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective specific differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of specific are especial, individual, particular, and special. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to specific?

The words especial and specific can be used in similar contexts, but especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

When can individual be used instead of specific?

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

valued each individual opinion

When could particular be used to replace specific?

The synonyms particular and specific are sometimes interchangeable, but particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

When is it sensible to use special instead of specific?

In some situations, the words special and specific are roughly equivalent. However, special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

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 specific

Adjective

The Department of Industrial Relations declined to answer specific questions. — Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026 The new plan delineates rough land-use areas, not specific buildings or footprints. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 8 Oct. 2026

Noun

The Bottom Line The specifics differ by jurisdiction—a data protection board in one country, a state attorney general in another, a sectoral regulator in a third—but the underlying pattern is the same from Brussels to Brasilia to Bengaluru. — Abhik Biswas, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026 The specifics of how CNN will plug into and operate in the new company have yet to be finalized – hardly surprising given that serious discussions could only begin after Paramount’s anti-trust settlement a few days ago. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for specific

Recent Examples of Synonyms for specific

Adjective

The café uses a special roast from an NKC small-batch roaster called Northlandia, according to Stevie Rose, marketing specialist at Life Unlimited.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
The production won the Tony Award for special theatrical event.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of special

Adjective

Police say that Wyatt continued the conversations even after being informed that the person was 13, going as far as requesting explicit photos.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
But ambiguity typically plays to the advantage of the stronger party; such hedging from Washington was as good as an explicit endorsement of the Israeli position.

— KHALED ELGINDY, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of explicit

Noun

The play’s tension, gently but poignantly unspooled, develops from the fact that while Ryan has pursued a career onstage, Charlie never did.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
This refers to the fact that not all materials can be economically viable to recycle, so spending energy and time to recover them is often a losing game.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of fact

Noun

Those characteristics can be particularly relevant to fashion distribution, where seasonal peaks, promotional periods and e-commerce demand can put intense pressure on fulfillment operations.

— Josh McMorrow, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Balls put in play with those characteristics are hits 84% of the time, per the league's Statcast page.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

In cell cultures, the researchers found that gamma delta T cells could kill the cancer cells when redirected by the drug.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Almost all Florida seniors will be affected as Medicare Advantage plans pare benefits and raise deductibles, while traditional Medicare sees higher Part D out-of-pocket spending caps and the elimination of $0-premium standalone drug plans.

— Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of drug

Adjective

But actually, the precise challenge was to not treat it as a joke.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
The smaller probe will then head toward the asteroid's surface, a descent that should take two to three hours depending on 269 Justitia's precise gravity, which remains unknown.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of precise

Adjective

There’s definite enthusiasm and activity — and backed up by financial support — something which for such an iconic brand has been a very long time coming.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Food and drink The food is a definite highlight here, with several places to eat and drink.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of definite

Noun

Some movements feel unnatural, facial expressions are exaggerated, and small details occasionally fall into the uncanny valley or break rules of logical consistency.

— Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
The collection mixes authentic OshKosh details like denim and hickory stripe, reimagined with signature Sergio Hudson design elements.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of detail

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Style

“Specific.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specific. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of specific

adjective

noun

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