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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective special differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of special are especial, individual, particular, and specific. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

When would especial be a good substitute for special?

The meanings of especial and special largely overlap; however, especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

When is it sensible to use individual instead of special?

While the synonyms individual and special are close in meaning, individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

When is particular a more appropriate choice than special?

In some situations, the words particular and special are roughly equivalent. However, particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

When can specific be used instead of special?

Although the words specific and special have much in common, specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

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 special Red Bull hosted a special experience titled Red Bull Mirage at Coachella Weekend 1. Mecca Pryor, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025 Join interactive Pro clinics led by our Pros Carter Worth, Dan Niles, and Dan Ives, with a special edition of Pro Talks with Tom Lee. Pia Singh, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2025 If the club can dominate in that area, the special teams should favor Edmonton and result in wins. Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 Typically, a Seder plate is made up for the special gathering and contains six parts that symbolize Exodus. Greta Cross, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for special
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special
Adjective
  • And the officials themselves are not the only ones in danger.
    Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • However, after this portion’s absence from the livestream was noted by NME, the group noted that this instance wasn’t the only part of their set that was removed from the broadcast.
    Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The models are also trained to follow instructions more literally, which requires careful and specific prompting but allows for greater control over the output.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The specific exhaustion of being a mother By Olga Khazan Subscribe to Listen1.0x 0:009:47 Produced by ElevenLabs and News Over Audio (Noa) using AI narration.
    Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • These lanterns are bright, and their unique design makes the solar hanging light the perfect outdoor decoration.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The underlying signal itself can also be unique for people or groups of people.
    Eloy Geenjaar, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This one gives a result in under three seconds, allowing the oven or grill door to be quickly closed again without much precious heat escaping.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Internet users have praised the precious bond between Storm and the unborn baby.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.
    SI.com, SI.com, 3 Aug. 2019
  • Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.
    Johannes Himmelreich, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2018
Adjective
  • The show had a brief run Off Broadway in 1996, then lived on with a miniature national tour and a beloved cast recording.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • After two long years, Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler are back on screen together — and the beloved duo didn't miss a beat!
    Alex Ross, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Coogler wrote Remmick as an empathetic and charismatic villain — so much so that IndieWire critic David Ehrlich’s lone knock on the film is that, by design, the darkness of the vampires is more about the fun of being alive than the usual horror movie terror.
    Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Eichel’s lone hat trick of the season came on March 25 at Xcel Energy Center in a 5-1 win over the Wild.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Everybody's favorite socially awkward evil couple, Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) and Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), are doing terrible things for the Imperial Security Bureau, while Luthen and Cassian try to help the nascent rebellion movement on the planet.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Now, fan favorite Andor, a rather bleak look at the rebellion from the perspective of Rogue One’s sacrificial hero Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), is coming back for a big, bold, second season.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Special.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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