specimen

noun

ˈspes-mən How to pronounce specimen (audio)
Definition of specimennext
1
as in person
a member of the human race he's a particularly handsome specimen

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in example
one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like chose one frog as a good specimen of the breed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word specimen distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of specimen are case, example, illustration, instance, and sample. While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

When could case be used to replace specimen?

While in some cases nearly identical to specimen, case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

When would example be a good substitute for specimen?

The words example and specimen can be used in similar contexts, but example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

In what contexts can illustration take the place of specimen?

In some situations, the words illustration and specimen are roughly equivalent. However, illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

When can instance be used instead of specimen?

The meanings of instance and specimen largely overlap; however, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

Where would sample be a reasonable alternative to specimen?

Although the words sample and specimen have much in common, sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

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 specimen Review gardening books, consult with nurserymen and maybe visit an arboretum to view mature specimens. —Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2025 Both new darter fish are relatively small, with the largest specimens measuring just over 2 inches long. —Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025 The architecture of the retina remained completely intact across multiple specimens. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025 These European footprints are not as old as the ones from Australia, but are still older than previous specimens. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for specimen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specimen
  1. person
  2. example
  3. man
  4. sample
  5. guy
  6. life
  7. creature
  8. individual
Noun
  • Having said that, there are resources for the average person.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 June 2025
  • The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because word of the separation needed to come from Homa.
    — Doug Ferguson, Baltimore Sun, 3 June 2025
Definition of person
Noun
  • For example, the family of Martin Gutierrez, whose body was found in the lake in 2018, before the media frenzy around Lady Bird Lake, believe he was drugged while on a night out.
    — Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
  • Indeed, there has been a flurry of articles in the US press in recent days warning that AI will wipe out swathes of jobs (for example a pwc report on Agentic AI promises cost cuts of up to 40% in the software and legal sectors).
    — Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of example
Noun
  • Aaron Rodgers is the new man in town for the storied franchise and will look to make one more run at a Super Bowl.
    — Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • The second man then took off on foot down an alley on 46th Street.
    — Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Definition of man
Noun
  • The sample size for Turner is a slash line of .268/.326/.366 in 44 at-bats.
    — Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • Tickets for the cooking challenge are $70 per person and include three drinks on top of the competition samples and other bites from Mulvaney’s, according to the organizers.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
Definition of sample
Noun
  • Lawrence is like the orange M&M, or the also-orange wiry guy from Inside Out 2.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 June 2025
  • Turns out that state budget surplus that Casey’s hubby has been claiming as evidence of his own special skills was propped up all along by COVID-era billions, courtesy of the smiling guy with the aviator glasses and crippling ice cream addiction.
    — Pat Beall, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Definition of guy
Noun
  • Narrating this account of her brief life, Emily provides a sharp perspective on the penury and isolation that created such anguish — and such inspiration — for the Brontë sisters.
    — Alida Becker, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • This teaches the child important money management skills necessary for later in life.
    — David Kudla, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of life
Noun
  • The vulpine creature was first described by Charles Darwin in 1834 on Chile’s Chiloé Island.
    — Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
  • Stone Age hunter-gatherers may have been particularly interested in sperm whale skeletons, because the creatures are the only toothed species of the group, featuring long, straight jaw bones—perfect for crafting hunting tools, the researchers write in the paper.
    — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 May 2025
Definition of creature
Noun
  • These terms describe that part of an individual’s psyche that is presented to the world (the persona) and that part that is seen as undesirable and therefore hidden (the shadow).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 June 2025
  • Wastewater surveillance has the potential to identify possible cases days before an individual shows symptoms or seeks care.
    — Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
Definition of individual

Browse Nearby Words

specifying
specimen
specimens
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Specimen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specimen. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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