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specific

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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
What isn’t typical is that the city isn’t being specific about why Leung is being let go. Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 13 Aug. 2025 However, there have been some signs of recovery, with a focus on specific sectors like technology and pharmaceuticals. Ritika Gupta, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Without providing specifics, the department said on Friday, June 27, that Rhodes' case was still under active investigation and again pleaded for tips from the public. Jillian Frankel, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025 Getting into the specifics, Arougheti says that the scene needed an artist pumping the heart and another artist pumping the lungs. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for specific
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specific
Adjective
  • The Chargers also have an edge in special teams, with kicker/punter Gianluca D’Amato, who is No. 2 in our ranking of Orange County’s top specialists.
    Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The latest episode comes out at 6 p.m. Wednesday and includes special guest Taylor Swift, the superstar singer who is dating Travis Kelce.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • These tools can help detect harmful symbols, explicit imagery or copyright violations before content is published.
    Anees Ali Khan, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The season one finale concluded with Laurel getting attacked by Eugene’s (Moosa Mostafa) bees, though there was no explicit confirmation of her death.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • In fact, the American Diabetes Association says potatoes can fit on a diabetes-friendly meal plan.7 As for the benefits of swapping potatoes for whole grains, fiber explains a lot, Tindall told Health.
    Sarah Garone, Health, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The Cher Planet shared a clip from the episode, with fans celebrating the fact that three of the four entertainers are still alive and active.
    Angela Andaloro, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Can’t a mother have characteristics outside of that culturally narrowed scope?
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The Justice Department earlier this month published a list of the nine characteristics of sanctuary jurisdictions.
    Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Rudi, 43, was also due to face two charges relating to the same drugs plot as his younger brother.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Jones said his life was saved by an experimental drug treatment called PD-1 therapy, which, according to the American Cancer Society, keeps T cells from attacking normal cells.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Creating specific traffic scenarios in a multi-lane track setting requires precise choreography across other vehicles and even mock pedestrians.
    Richard Bishop, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Intelligence Gathering: Israeli operatives identified the bedrooms in which Iranian nuclear scientists were sleeping, enabling precise airstrikes.
    Yossi Melman, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Partnerships, as always, will be a definite accelerant but a high degree of critical capability should probably be insourced given the winds of change currently sweeping across the landscape of geopolitics.
    Amir Husain, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Nobody 2 is prime with older guys with solid total awareness and definite interest climbing.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Musk then shared details of the bid with The Wall Street Journal to artificially raise the price of OpenAI and potentially spook investors, OpenAI alleged.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Specific.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specific. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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