especial

adjective

i-ˈspe-shəl How to pronounce especial (audio)
Definition of especialnext
1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary a candidate who handled the stunning defeat with especial grace

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in familiar
closely acquainted he told his especial friends about the job offer but kept everyone else in the dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in special
of a particular or exact sort with a very ordinary lawn, we don't have any especial need for a gardener

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective especial differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of especial are individual, particular, special, and specific. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

Where would individual be a reasonable alternative to especial?

Although the words individual and especial have much in common, individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

In what contexts can particular take the place of especial?

The meanings of particular and especial largely overlap; however, particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

When could special be used to replace especial?

The synonyms special and especial are sometimes interchangeable, but special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

When is specific a more appropriate choice than especial?

The words specific and especial are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 especial This oath certainly applies, in an especial manner, to their conduct in their official character. — Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2025 Not every governor hands out rosary beads, especial rosary beads blessed by the late Pope Francis. — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025 To one pursuing the even tenor of his usual routine, the chewing of coca gives no especial sensation, in fact the only result seems to be a negative one, an absence of the customary desire for food and sleep. — Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025 Further, studies have shown that people with more abdominal fat have smaller brain volumes especial in areas related to memory and decision making. — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for especial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for especial
  1. extraordinary
  2. familiar
  3. special
  4. unusual
  5. intimate
  6. specific
  7. exceptional
  8. close
Adjective
  • View gallery - 4 images For all the extraordinary things that consumer 3D printers can produce, changing color has remained a surprisingly messy business.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Explore its waterfalls, glaciers and volcanic landscapes, and treat any aurora sightings as an extraordinary bonus.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • The answer is that there are some cases where quantum waves interfere constructively and give rise to a pattern familiar from classical physics.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For experienced yogis, doing yoga from a chair can offer new ways to explore familiar movements, says Pate, who incorporates a chair into many of her regular yoga classes.
    — Jennifer Heimlich, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • The café uses a special roast from an NKC small-batch roaster called Northlandia, according to Stevie Rose, marketing specialist at Life Unlimited.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The production won the Tony Award for special theatrical event.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of special
Adjective
  • Six months after Vincent’s suicide, Theo died from the ravages of syphilis, leaving Jo a young widow with a baby to support, not much money, and an unusual inheritance—Vincent’s paintings—more than 400 in total.
    — Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
  • While his neighbors weren’t alarmed enough by the unusual sight to call security, Abrams wasn’t as lucky during filming at Radford Studios in Studio City.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Dyrholm, whose credits include Susanne Bier’s Oscar-winner In a Better World, Magnus von Horn’s The Girl With The Needle and Nikolaj Arcel’s A Royal Affair, will play Linda, an intimacy coordinator who struggles to form intimate connections.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • So these are a class of fungi that form a very intimate association with the vast majority of plants.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimate
Adjective
  • The German company aims to deploy the model across different robot platforms, allowing customers to adapt its capabilities to specific applications.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • On winding roads, its model-specific suspension tuning and focus on weight reduction translate into exceptional body control at speed without becoming brittle or overly rigid in slower, more technical sections.
    — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of specific
Adjective
  • When machines can instantly replicate the average, the only true moat is the exceptional.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The Brewers have an exceptional amount of talent too, and Murphy's routine of pretending like his team is a bunch of humble farmers who were playing stickball out back a few days ago is absurd and offensive.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • With six couples, having two separate houses gave us space to spread out while keeping everyone close enough to gather for dinner, drinks, and games.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
  • These regions could warrant closer investigation, but the assessment does not establish that any is suitable for a future greenhouse.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of close

Phrases Containing especial

Browse Nearby Words

esotericism
especial
especially
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Cite this Entry

“Especial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especial. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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