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

What Burnside aspires toward instead is an expression of the place’s spiritual core, some evocation of a regionally specific truth that might explain the percolating rottenness. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026 Acupressure targets specific points, including spots roughly a finger’s length below your pupils and beside your nose, which NuFace says can promote a glowing complexion by improving circulation. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Noun

But fabricating his medical history is almost amusingly reckless considering just how consequential the specifics of Kaczynski’s thinking became. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026 On second glance, how TCU handled some of the specifics between Jacob Fields and Dozie Ezukanma is not bad. — Mac Engel september 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for specific

Recent Examples of Synonyms for specific

Adjective

In the art context, institutions like Art Basel continue to craft special rules to accommodate the new money that only emerging markets like crypto seem able to supply.

— Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
An ever-changing lineup of special Balinese cultural experiences is also part of the private club deal.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of special

Adjective

But Wolfson once more goes the less dangerous route, appropriating a 1984 photograph of two tulips in a black void instead of something more explicit.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
But the most explicit allusion is the shoe’s metallic silver dubrae, which takes the shape of a phone to reference the 1996 movie’s chilling opening scene.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of explicit

Noun

Chalk it up to how busy guys’ lives have gotten, loosening gender norms, or the simple fact that pockets are inadequate for modern life’s necessities.

— Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2026
Diamonds are generally difficult to invest in due to the fact that there is no standardized spot market for them.

— Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of fact

Noun

Precious metals, coins, and stones require different checks, and both their characteristics and applicable market prices inform the amount offered.

— Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
These characteristics, along with technical skills that include critical thinking, are ideal in candidate evaluation today.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

Several drugs in this class are approved to treat obesity in adolescents 12 and older, but none are currently approved for younger children.

— Babak J. Orandi, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
The drug induces a powerful loss of personal identity and a brief but total dissolution of time and space.

— Ryan Sullivan, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of drug

Adjective

Our wine ages for a full year in French oak, where the wood’s precise porosity allows just the right exchange with oxygen — softening the wine, concentrating its aromas and flavours, building complexity no machine can replicate.

— Peter Hahn, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
Each enters the room at a precise point in the story, with its timing, intensity and duration considered in relation to what guests are seeing, hearing and tasting.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of precise

Noun

The Navy has provided limited information about the aircraft because its technical and program details remain classified.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
Against the stunning landscapes of wild, remote Turkey, captured in glorious detail by cinematographer Kiril Prodanov, Elif finds her muse again.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of detail

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Style

“Specific.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specific. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of specific

adjective

noun

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