1
as in unique
being the one or ones of a class with no other members
the President claimed that international terrorism was a special threat that required a special way of dealing with it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loved
granted special treatment or attention
one student who was treated as special by the teacher
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in specific
of a particular or exact sort
you'll need special permission from the fire department to do that
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of special
One in 5 children in the United States has special health care needs, and about half of those kids have coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, according to Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy Center for Children and Families.
—
Kayla Jimenez, USA Today, 19 July 2025
House Democrats in 2019 sought grand jury testimony from special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation while Congress was conducting its impeachment inquiry into Trump.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 19 July 2025
The original class of 30 physically disabled students — mostly with cerebral palsy — arrived on the campus, then on 33rd Street next to Anne Darling Elementary School, in a special bus and the school’s station wagon.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 19 July 2025
Food trucks also are permitted at special events, like those held at downtown Festival Park, Mylott said.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for special
Kayla Jimenez, USA Today, 19 July 2025
House Democrats in 2019 sought grand jury testimony from special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation while Congress was conducting its impeachment inquiry into Trump.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 19 July 2025
The original class of 30 physically disabled students — mostly with cerebral palsy — arrived on the campus, then on 33rd Street next to Anne Darling Elementary School, in a special bus and the school’s station wagon.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 19 July 2025
Food trucks also are permitted at special events, like those held at downtown Festival Park, Mylott said.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for special
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special
Adjective
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As always, however, IT leaders will need to balance their deployment plans with cost-management efforts that address the unique capabilities of agentic AI.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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Celebrities who previously wouldn’t have considered cutting their long hair have now taken the plunge, including Nicole Kidman and Pamela Anderson, both of whom debuted unique renditions of the look at the 2025 Met Gala.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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For the modern update, Nintendo has tweaked the design slightly, incorporating controls specific to the Switch 2–namely the Home, screen capture, and C buttons—at the top of the pad, and added a tiny new ZL button on the left-hand shoulder.—
Matt Kamen,
Wired News,
20 July 2025
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But Zeldin faces a major hurdle in accomplishing this feat: The existing PFAS standards are backed by the best currently available scientific evidence linking these specific chemicals to a range of adverse health effects.—
David Michaels,
The Atlantic,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
One singular melon starts at $138, two melons go for $268 and three melons cost $384 (taxes and shipping not included).—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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In comparison to the S25’s 6.9 inch singular screen, the Fold 7’s phablet offering seems downright gargantuan.—
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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While the currency value falls, the prices of gold, silver and other precious metals tend to rise.—
Prasanna Kumar,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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The yellow and silver precious metals have soared 30% and 35% this year, respectively.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Meeting space, which is also popular for weddings, is another distinctive amenity.—
Paul Brady,
Travel + Leisure,
19 July 2025
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The country has a low cost of living, a low crime rate and distinctive cuisine.—
William P. Barrett,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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The Cincinnati Music Festival The biggest names in R&B, hip-hop, soul and funk are coming to the Queen City for this beloved festival.—
Caroline Ritzie,
The Enquirer,
24 July 2025
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Deep Thought — the beloved boat that was ripped from Lake Michigan's shoreline in spring after months of abandonment — is officially up for auction.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Special.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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