INDIVIDUAL Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

individual 1 of 2

noun

Definition of individual

as in person

a member of the human race every individual has value

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in entity

one that has a real and independent existence our general concept of what constitutes a chair is based on our experience with many individuals that were called chairs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nonentity

individual

2 of 2

adjective

ˌin-də-ˈvi-jə-wəl

as in subjective

of, relating to, or belonging to a single person everyone has his or her own individual opinion about the subject, but you will have to work together

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in separate

not the same or shared guest rooms at the inn have individual bathrooms

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in characteristic

serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group he's got a highly individual laugh that I would know anywhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 wave of litigation against Meta and other social media companies from individuals, school districts and states has been called Big Tech’s Big Tobacco moment. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026 According to police, the individual who was found shot at Anthon Drive was a teenage boy. — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Your ideal portion depends on your overall eating pattern, blood sugar goals, medications, and individual carbohydrate needs. — Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 16 Aug. 2026 About what happens inside a community when systems are weak, when accountability is not strong, and when people start choosing individual survival over collective responsibility. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for individual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for individual

Noun

Two people were killed by Russian strikes in Zelenskyy's home city of Kryvyi Rih, the president wrote, as was one person in the northeastern city of Sumy.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Thirteen employees of a steel factory in Kryvyi Rih were injured and one person died, according to Arcelor Mittal, which operates the plant.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of person

Noun

The data center will still pay traditional property tax, as well as the business personal property tax to other taxing entities.

— Olivia Young, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
But there is little mention of such an entity today when the giant news outlet grapples with legal or operational matters.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of entity

Adjective

Both are a complete overhaul of their long-haul cabins, featuring seat heating, seat cooling and personal climate controls.

— Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
The Fireplace Shangri-la room is your own personal retreat, complete with an oversized soaking tub (big enough for even a tall girl like myself to enjoy) and separate shower.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of personal

Adjective

Nvidia is also discussing a separate arrangement involving as much as $350 billion in AI chips for the facility.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Its separate entrance, elevators, and staff have always set it apart from the surrounding casino ecosystem, offering a smoke-free, gaming-free environment with all the brand’s usual service signatures.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of separate

Adjective

Schwab's ambitions past trading are already on the record, delivered in Wurster's characteristic key of unhurried inevitability.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Notable among the findings is a road at least ¾ of a mile long with features, including a zigzagging route, characteristic of Inca construction.

— Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

The young men made an emergency call for towing assistance and were focused on dealing with the sinking boat and leaving the island.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Vernon, meanwhile, is encouraging people to remember that there was a man, a husband and father behind the headlines.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of man

Noun

Unitree's product lineup spans bipedal humanoid robots that can walk and manipulate objects with dexterous hands, as well as four-legged robots used for tasks such as hazard detection.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
If the object is drifting through the field of view from left to right, place it on the far left to keep it in view for as long as possible.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of object

Adjective

The effects of magnesium supplementation on subjective anxiety and stress-a systematic review.

— Sara Hoffman, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2026
One group got no special instructions, while the other was told to actively find moments of awe on their walk, seeking out novelty, tapping into wonder, and noticing the vastness of things, even in their own neighborhood—all subjective, of course.

— Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of subjective

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inditing

individual

individualism

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“Individual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/individual. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of individual

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adjective

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