specific 1 of 2

Definition of specificnext

specific

2 of 2

noun

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
Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances. Lyssanoel Frater, jsonline.com, 26 Jan. 2026 Noma sommelier Max Manning is collaborating on a site-specific beer with Highland Park Brewery, made using organic heritage Sonoran Wheat and Rouge de Bordeaux from Sherry Mandell and Alex Weiser’s Tehachapi Grain Project. Emily Wilson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
Pettway declined to comment on specifics of the situation but called it heartbreaking. Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026 There are no specifics in the bill about what kind of proof a person would need to disprove another person’s citizenship. Meghan O’Brien, States Newsroom, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for specific
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specific
Adjective
  • Dalia Rawson, now the executive director of New Ballet in San Jose, spent decades training and refining her craft as a ballet dancer, and says that after rehearsing for weeks on end with the other members of her company, something special happened.
    Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Among them are Dale Holness, a former Broward County commissioner who lost a special primary election in 2021 to Cherfilus-McCormick by five votes.
    Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The official investigators of the deaths during the infamous riot were under intense and explicit pressure to conform their testimony to an official, state-exonerating narrative.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The betrayal was exacerbated by back-and-forth arguing online and the posting of explicit material, only worsened when the two groups met up in Oakland the night of the shooting.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In fact, many other factors are much more important.
    Aly J Yale, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • In fact, there is irritation about the level of criticism and a faction of the fanbase intent on pushing the idea that his job will surely be on the line if results do not improve soon.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Scientists continue to attempt to take snapshots of this primordial soup to understand the characteristics of quark-gluon plasma.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Rho-alpha differentiates itself through three characteristics.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Finally a trial of about a year, similar to a drug’s Phase 3 stage, is conducted to demonstrate safety and effectiveness at a larger scale.
    Ana Castelain, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Sandweg also said the Border Patrol has no business operating in a city like Minneapolis because their training is geared more toward encountering drug cartels and migrants along the border.
    Anna Schecter, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • However, the exact source of these jets around their black hole central engines and the precise mechanism powering them is still something of a mystery.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • The light is then guided using ultra-precise mirrors and reflected off a mask containing the pattern for one layer of the chip, which is then shrunk and projected onto a silicon wafer.
    Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • However, measuring a qubit causes its superposition to collapse into a single, definite state.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Jan. 2026
  • So probably not, but also a definite possibility.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The details in the Russian collusion hoax file is demonic—this is evil stuff.
    , FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Trump offered no details on the scope or timing of any talks, nor on who would lead them.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on specific

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!