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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
  • This is especially true when tourism is the primary—or in some cases the only—economic driver.
    Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Beyond vaccines and immunization Even from its earliest days, vaccine-preventable and infectious diseases were far from the Epidemic Intelligence Service’s only focus.
    Casey Luc, The Conversation, 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
  • Ars Video Reviewers are critical staff with unique features.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 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
  • The precious metal is now up nearly 29% in the year so far.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 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
  • The Flower Mound, Texas native finished his lone football season at Utah with four touchdowns on four receptions for 54 yards in 12 games.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2025
  • The one dubbed Half-Man/Half-Amazin’ answered the leaper’s calling though reputation was his lone reward.
    Marcus Thompson II, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Welcome to our weekly rundown of the best new music — featuring big singles, key tracks from our favorite albums, and more.
    Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Kosinski’s favorite part of the women’s art exhibition has been getting to know the artists and discovering how connected the local art community is to one another.
    Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Special.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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