individual 1 of 2

1
2
as in separate
not the same or shared guest rooms at the inn have individual bathrooms

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective individual differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of individual are especial, particular, special, and specific. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to individual?

The words especial and individual can be used in similar contexts, but especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

When would particular be a good substitute for individual?

The words particular and individual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

When is special a more appropriate choice than individual?

The synonyms special and individual are sometimes interchangeable, but special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

When could specific be used to replace individual?

While in some cases nearly identical to individual, 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 individual
Noun
The life and death of any individual became merely something to be haggled over in bureaucratic ministries: who was an alien, who should be imprisoned as an enemy alien, who should be deported to certain death? Celia Bell july 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025 Here is what the bill proposed: Sales and marketing banned to individuals under 21. Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 22 July 2025
Adjective
Despite this imbalance, both the individual and collective themes of the musical reflect the affirming values of the source material: believing in yourself and caring for your community. Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025 While their individual shows have been cut by the network, the trio also star in another house flipping competition show, The Flip Off, which is set to return to HGTV. Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for individual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for individual
Noun
  • Any reasonable person would say that makes no sense.
    Randi Braun, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Initial report: The intersection of Interstate 70 and North Post Road is closed as officials investigate a fatal crash that killed one person in east Indianapolis, Indianapolis police said.
    Matthew Cupelli, IndyStar, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • Another option is for business owners to create jobs for Indians in entities both locally and abroad, Kumar said.
    Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 24 July 2025
  • Some stations may find monetary support as applicants for national pots of money, Rooney said, but most, and likely all, funding will come from local and regional entities.
    Cate Charron, IndyStar, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • However, a driver is not legally obligated to submit to a field sobriety test, pre-arrest test or cheek swab at a DUI checkpoint, according to the Law Offices of Grech and Parker in Riverside. Field sobriety tests are subjective and may not accurately measure sobriety, according to Bee archives.
    Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2025
  • When that happens, AI will have enough self-awareness and consciousness to have conscious subjective feelings and so be able to make an executive decision on how to manage the politeness vs. processing power balance.
    Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Another caller, a case worker, was assisting two separate individuals who was defrauded by con artists impersonating immigration attorneys via Facebook and WhatsApp.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
  • The deal will also lower the tariff the United States charges on Japanese auto exports, which are subject to a separate tariff schedule, to 15 percent, including a preexisting tariff of 2.5 percent.
    Ana Swanson, New York Times, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Consider Stapleton International Airport’s reincarnation as Denver’s Central Park neighborhood, or suburban Chicago’s Glenview Naval Air Station’s rebirth as The Glen, a live-dine-play-shop community featuring 2,000 homes in eight distinct enclaves.
    Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Literature has a distinct ability to illuminate truth’s multiplicities; writers like Ullmann remind readers that fact and fiction are fragile categories, and that collapsing them can yield enthralling results.
    Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Those same schools can give their men’s basketball programs the largest cut of the revenue sharing pie, rather than the 20 percent that most of their high-major colleagues should receive.
    Brendan Marks, New York Times, 24 July 2025
  • Ahead of this summer’s tournament, D’Amelio reached out to UConn men’s basketball General Manager Tom Moore to explore the idea of playing at either Gampel Pavilion or PeoplesBank Arena (formerly the XL Center).
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • That’s much larger than the two previous interstellar objects, ‘Oumuamua in 2017 and comet 2I/Borisov in 2019.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • My life is my people, the gentle hills of the Marche region, and the objects that hold and transmit emotions.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Contact personal finance columnist Susan Tompor: [email protected].
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
  • Medora Lee is a money, markets, and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Individual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/individual. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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