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 software allows officers to search full or partial license-plate numbers and keywords and descriptions to find vehicles, as well as the ability to look up specific license-plate location history recorded on Flock devices. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026 What the notes described was something more specific, and much more damning than that. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026

Noun

Managers press for specifics when employees speak in generalities. — Harvard Business Review, 2 Sep. 2026 Coupang spokesperson Erika Reynoso declined to comment on the prospect of tariffs or the specifics of South Korea’s response. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for specific

Recent Examples of Synonyms for specific

Adjective

His point is that although LLMs, no less than chess engines and other specialist systems, are trained on a specific task—namely, predicting the next word in a text passage—that task is special.

— George Musser, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026
Snoop Dogg is set to host the event, and additional performers, presenters and special guests will be revealed over the next week.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of special

Adjective

Even when the subtext of previous policy suggested suspicion of American Muslims, federal leaders never expressed explicit hostility.

— Daniel Benjamin, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026
A number of definitions, particularly from this period, drew an explicit connection between Indigenous peoples and European colonialism.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of explicit

Noun

Adding to the turmoil is the fact that there’s no parliamentary majority that would support budget cuts and trim the deficit, which is near 5% of GDP—well above the European Union’s sub-3% target and a cause of additional bond market angst.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
Ricki is charismatic but not otherwordly; if anything, the fact that James is able to seduce or threaten without appearing to do much at all is what makes Ricki extra formidable.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of fact

Noun

This characteristic can provide significant resistance to scratching and wear in demanding environments.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
His mentality, weathered by his upbringing, is perhaps his most defining characteristic.

— Andrew Destin, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

Another common response, readers wrote, is that the drugs have reduced their desire for alcohol as well as their appetite.

— Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
But in recent years, Fiji has seen a surge in intravenous drug use as the islands have emerged as a crucial transit point for narcotics being trafficked from the Americas to lucrative markets in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia.

— Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of drug

Adjective

However, that is not the case for specialty ambulatory settings, particularly procedural fields like orthopedics, namely laterality, precise description of special tests, range-of-motion findings, procedure details and clear return-visit plans.

— Pat Williams, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Shelton did well to try to counter him with off-speed, precise serves and aggressive moves into net.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of precise

Adjective

But the Bulls expressed definite interest in Kuminga, according to a league source speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss front-office strategy.

— Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
And the wave of sales Xilam already proves that there’s definite interest for a road-tripping inverted submarine and its crew.

— Kevin Giraud, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of definite

Noun

The woman who had compiled the Handy Hints book helpfully explained these technical details to Flynn, whispering in his ear like someone translating a foreign language.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
The scalloped trim along the front pockets is an unexpected detail that sets them apart from a standard pair of pants, while the relaxed silhouette is still easy to style with sweaters, tees, and button-downs.

— Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of detail

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species

specific

specifically

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Style

“Specific.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specific. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of specific

adjective

noun

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