CASE Synonyms: 226 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of case are example , illustration , instance , sample , and specimen . While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," 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 'case'?

While in some cases nearly identical to case , example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case. // a typical example of bureaucratic waste

Q: When is it sensible to use 'illustration' instead of 'case'?

While the synonyms illustration and case are close in meaning, 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 could 'instance' be used to replace 'case'?

Although the words instance and case have much in common, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain. // an instance of history repeating itself

Q: In what contexts can 'sample' take the place of 'case'?

The meanings of sample and case largely overlap; however, 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

Q: When might 'specimen' be a better fit than 'case'?

The synonyms specimen and case are sometimes interchangeable, but specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available. // one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

case 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈkās

Definition of case

as in sheath

something that encloses another thing especially to protect it those binoculars come with their own case

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in bin

a covered rectangular container for storing or transporting things a handy little cosmetics case that matches the rest of her luggage

Synonyms & Similar Words

case

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in patient

an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment her doctor wishes that all of his cases were as cooperative as she is

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in example

one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like this is a perfect case of people jumping to the wrong conclusion before all the facts are known

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in fact

something that actually exists this has never been the case before

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in explanation

a statement given to explain a belief or act you'll get a chance to make your case, but unless you're very convincing, your request will be denied

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in bout

a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder a young boy suffering from a case of chicken pox

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in possibility

something that might happen it may be the case that the cause of the fire will forever remain a mystery

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in problem

something that requires thought and skill for resolution that's a tough case to solve

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

case

3 of 3

verb

as in to enclose

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word case distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of case are example, illustration, instance, sample, and specimen. While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," 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 case?

While in some cases nearly identical to case, example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

When is it sensible to use illustration instead of case?

While the synonyms illustration and case are close in meaning, illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

When could instance be used to replace case?

Although the words instance and case have much in common, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

In what contexts can sample take the place of case?

The meanings of sample and case largely overlap; however, 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

When might specimen be a better fit than case?

The synonyms specimen and case are sometimes interchangeable, but specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

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 case

Noun

Justice Diana Kavedza Mochache said in a hearing lasting more than eight hours that in some cases children were isolated and denied food while their parents watched. — Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026 Starring Zhang Yi, Ma Li, and Chen Minghao alongside guest appearances by Karry Wang, Fan Chengcheng, and Chen Feiyu, the multi-decade drama chronicles an elite public security detective unravelling major criminal mysteries based on real cases. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026

Verb

The signs of back-to-school anxiety vary, from person to person and case to case. — Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 12 July 2026 Soccer fans, cinephiles, and fashion lovers alike will surely be casing the stadium for a glimpse of Expósito, either hoping to confirm the relationship rumors that sparked earlier this year or take notes on what the stylish actor wears to the game. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for case

Recent Examples of Synonyms for case

Noun

It was designed with a column, sheath silhouette, with sequins, thin spaghetti straps and a midlength skirt.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Each Axvant hatchet comes with the leather sheath and five replacement fire-starting rods.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of sheath

Noun

Is Meredith’s arc going to be tied to this new patient (Martin Martinez) who is in the foster care system and potentially has cancer?

— Max Gao, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Under New York law, for example, providers need explicit consent from patients to access their data from health information exchanges.

— Alex Rosenblat — CalMatters, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of patient

Noun

Both examples demonstrate how local champions and an existing source of funding can help turn a lifesaving idea into reality.

— Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
As usual, most of the homes are located in North America, but our roundup also includes examples from Europe and Australia.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of example

Noun

But a Columbia University research team has found that when water molecules come into contact with plastic surfaces, a key chemical reaction does in fact take place.

— Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
That tradition began this season, and while Cignetti bemoaned the fact Indiana missed out on so many opportunities, the Hoosiers can take a message from the Spaniard's dominant six-season run.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of fact

Noun

But conventional explanations emphasizing liberalism’s association with economic development and the rise of a middle class cannot fully account for ideological shifts.

— Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
But the younger Trejo’s account at least offers an explanation for why his father took the job with Shapiro’s Daily Wire.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of explanation

Noun

In the co-main event, Armando Resendiz (17-3) outlasted Australia’s Koen Mazoudier (16-5-1) by unanimous decision in a 10-round super middleweight bout.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
An accomplished musician who has released albums as The One AM Radio, Hirway turned to podcasting after a bout of writer’s block, hoping to find a breakthrough in fellow musicians’ creative processes.

— Lily Moayeri, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of bout

Noun

More than a splash of color Perhaps the more interesting possibility lies beyond multi-color printing altogether.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Major cringe, on the other hand, navigates the aesthetic affect critically and formally to induce it—viscerally exploiting its possibilities.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of possibility

Browse Nearby Words

cascading

case

casebook

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Style

“Case.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/case. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of case

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The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

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Synonyms of case

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noun (2)

verb

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Phrases Containing case

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The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on case

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes