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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
This is largely owed to its specific reliance on getting lost among all those references, but an equally major culprit is its constantly shifting theme and focus. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 26 June 2025 At the local level, the Los Angeles County Mental Health Department offers a crisis helpline that’s staffed 24/7 to connect residents with resources including mental health professionals with specific training and programs designed for LGBTQ+ individuals and families. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
Noun
In the final days leading up to that Jackson County vote, the specifics of the plan were still in flux and factors as significant as which streets and businesses would need to close to make way for a ballpark were still up in the air. Alecia Taylor, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025 The new tariff rate is set to take effect on July 9, but considering that the tariffs have been delayed before, some uncertainty remains around the timing and specifics of the tariffs’ ultimate implementation. ArsTechnica, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for specific
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specific
Adjective
  • That bond is what makes this so special every summer.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
  • These days, shapewear isn't just reserved for special occasions.
    Michelle Rostamian, People.com, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • The attack followed Qatar's decision to close its airspace amid rising tensions and explicit threats from Tehran.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • The second critical factor is establishing explicit working models and expectations upfront.
    AJ Bubb, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Consistent water intake may be particularly important for people taking medications that can cause dehydration, including some blood pressure drugs, antidepressants and antibiotics.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 June 2025
  • Why Specialty Clinics Feel The Pain First Specialty clinics face a perfect storm of challenges: high-cost drugs, evolving payer policies and thousands of diagnosis and procedure codes that need to match up precisely.
    Sally Ragab, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • John Zogby Grade: F The very fact that President Donald Trump is talking about joining Israel in taking out Iran’s nuclear program earns him his failing grade this week.
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 21 June 2025
  • The fact that Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer's rival hotshots can be friends means there's hope for all of us.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • At this stage, Abiteboul explained the car is undergoing endurance dyno testing to fine tune the characteristics of the engine and gearbox.
    Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • His skills and characteristics fit perfectly in Florida, and his role on the third line puts him in a beneficial position.
    Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • But such testing is often prohibitively expensive and, when dealing with historic specimens, not consistently precise.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
  • Midair refueling is always a precise and skilled maneuver, but possibly even more so for B-2 pilots, Jamali said, as the refueling receptacle is located considerably behind the cockpit, limiting the pilots' visibility.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • Albie is a definite contrast from Arthur Pym, one of the most heinous men Hamill’s ever played in his career.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 June 2025
  • She’s Got No Name marks a definite shift in tone and mood for the 40-year veteran who has never been afraid of jumping genres, from the romance of Comrades: Almost a Love Story (1996) to the action of The Warlords (2007) and on to the comedy of American Dreams in China (2013).
    Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • If Google’s Ai Mode Succeeds? One possible remedy for content providers — which The Atlantic highlights — is to maintain direct access to their content consumers.
    Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • Former President Joe Biden's DOJ, riding a wave of anti-corporatism on the left, proposed a far-reaching set of remedies that strayed well beyond the original case.
    Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Specific.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specific. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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