SPECIAL Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

special

adjective

ˈspe-shəl

Definition of special

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

as in loved

granted special treatment or attention one student who was treated as special by the teacher

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 Then, Jeremy went off script—at least to Tallulah and Justin—and announced that someone very special had written something for them. — Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026 Mukerji was separately honored with a special citation for acting excellence by the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), which cited her three decades of memorable roles and the international reach of her work. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026 Many of its rites can be performed by anyone, but there have often been individuals with a special aptitude for and knowledge of these practices. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 Jovan Marjanović is aware just how special the Sarajevo Film Festival is. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for special

Recent Examples of Synonyms for special

Adjective

This unique account type has a variable rate that will be more responsive to market conditions, unlike the CD which will hold until the maturity date arrives.

— Matt Richardson, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Ganos said the 97 carts are also unique because of their perfect condition, that much like comic books or sports cards, often sell higher.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

This feeling also ripples throughout the community, casting a shadow on fellow classmates, family and loved ones.

— Narmeen Khan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Though the teens have been identified by families and loved ones as those in the Grand Junction community share memories and rally around those left behind.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of loved

Adjective

In the comics, a Lantern’s ring has several powers in the ballpark of creating physical objects out of light and pure will, but none of them to date — save for John, in one specific story — have been able to store someone’s consciousness.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
While Comer didn’t give a specific location where the breakdown occurred, daytime temperatures in the South China Sea in late July averaged between 89 degrees and 98 degrees Fahrenheit (32 to 37 Celsius), weather records show.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of specific

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

Definition of one

Adjective

The study of a patient’s urine was an extremely popular practice in the Middle Ages, even though doctors could tell precious little about what was ailing someone just by looking at a sample in a jar.

— T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Carlsbad and other coastal cities south of Oceanside worry that any plan to keep sand on the shoreline north of them would prevent the precious grains of grit from migrating south in ocean currents to land on their own eroding beaches.

— Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of precious

Adjective

Her husband, the family’s sole provider, was rarely home, forced to chase construction jobs around Nepal and India that brought the family around 12,000 Nepalese rupees ($80) per month.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages and names Arellano in his individual capacity as the sole defendant.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of sole

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“Special.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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adjective

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on special

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A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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Games & Quizzes