SPECIMEN Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'specimen' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of specimen are case , example , illustration , instance , and sample . While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available. // one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

Q: When could 'case' be used to replace 'specimen'?

While in some cases nearly identical to specimen , case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with. // a case of mistaken identity

Q: When would 'example' be a good substitute for 'specimen'?

The words example and specimen can be used in similar contexts, but example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case. // a typical example of bureaucratic waste

Q: In what contexts can 'illustration' take the place of 'specimen'?

In some situations, the words illustration and specimen are roughly equivalent. However, illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement. // a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

Q: When can 'instance' be used instead of 'specimen'?

The meanings of instance and specimen largely overlap; however, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain. // an instance of history repeating itself

Q: Where would 'sample' be a reasonable alternative to 'specimen'?

Although the words sample and specimen have much in common, sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities. // show us a sample of your work

specimen

noun

ˈspes-mən

Definition of specimen

as in example

one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like chose one frog as a good specimen of the breed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in person

a member of the human race he's a particularly handsome specimen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word specimen distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of specimen are case, example, illustration, instance, and sample. While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

When could case be used to replace specimen?

While in some cases nearly identical to specimen, case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

When would example be a good substitute for specimen?

The words example and specimen can be used in similar contexts, but example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

In what contexts can illustration take the place of specimen?

In some situations, the words illustration and specimen are roughly equivalent. However, illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

When can instance be used instead of specimen?

The meanings of instance and specimen largely overlap; however, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

Where would sample be a reasonable alternative to specimen?

Although the words sample and specimen have much in common, sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

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 specimen Trotsky, an avid cactus enthusiast, gathered massive specimens during their outings. — Literary Hub, 28 July 2026 By testing multiple specimens in parallel, the platform reduced overall testing time by more than 60 percent. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026 Yet several scientists told KFF Health News that the specimens most likely were indeed for use in developing mpox diagnostic tests. — CNN Money, 22 July 2026 Detectives later matched Hakim’s DNA to specimens found on the victim, according to court documents. — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for specimen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for specimen

Noun

One example is United Airlines’ fleet of Boeing 767s, which feature all the carrier’s very latest cabin comfort experiences, but four of which entered service way back in 1991.

— Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Smithsonian’s The Tree Book and Cesar Leonardi and Franca Stagi’s The Architecture of Trees are just a few examples of the literature available on the shelves.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of example

Noun

One police officer was killed and another person injured when a gunman opened fire in a Montreal neighborhood in June, officials said.

— Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Abarca alleged that the situation involved at least one legislative staffer and one legislator, and that at least one person has been placed on administrative leave as a result.

— Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of person

Noun

Soil samples from the two elementary school campuses, City Terrace and Christopher Dena, exceeded the applicable regulatory screening levels of lead, which were flagged for further evaluation.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
As part of this contract, the partnership acquired a dedicated Zodiac boat to collect water samples.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of sample

Noun

Officers were already at an unrelated car crash two blocks away when they were summoned to a single-family home in Windfield based on a 911 call from a man who identified himself as the shooter, Windfield Police Chief Robbie DeLong said.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2026
The mother of 19-year-old Izick Aminartey is remembering her son as a loving young man after he was identified as one of two people killed in a shooting in Essex, Maryland.

— Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of man

Noun

All these guys, all my teammates, all my coaches, everybody in this building loves it.

— Sam Warren, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2026
In the back half of the show, the guys discuss the mood of the Orioles’ clubhouse following their trade deadline fire sale and take a look at the three players Baltimore acquired at the deadline amid its flurry of moves.

— Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of guy

Noun

Modi’s early life Modi’s story begins in the city of Palanpur, nestled in India’s western Gujarat state and known as the ancestral home of the country’s diamond merchant class.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Lupo played an integral part in the family’s life, having been included in some of the first public portraits of Prince George as a baby and toddler.

— Audrey Schmidt, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of life

Noun

Ries argues that leadership transitions succeed not because remarkable individuals take over, but because organizations have embedded their purpose deeply enough to survive leadership change.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Any individual or institution with an Internet connection faces the danger that its proprietary data will be sucked into AI training sets.

— Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of individual

Browse Nearby Words

specifying

specimen

specimens

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“Specimen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specimen. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of specimen

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Synonyms of specimen

noun

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Example Sentences

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Articles Related to specimen

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Cite this Entry

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