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

All three individuals were processed on their arrest warrants and released on $10,000 bonds. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026 Wearing masks to conceal their identities, the individuals lay down on the carpet before being removed by security. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Today, her challenge extends beyond assisting individual low income nations with fiscal stability to urging wealthy economies to curb national debt and assume greater systemic responsibility. — CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 This catalyst splits paired hydrogen molecules into highly reactive individual hydrogen atoms. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for individual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for individual

Noun

Each of those raises the odds that a young person ends up in trouble, whatever the color of his skin.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Siluanov was in the meeting, according to a person familiar with the matter.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of person

Noun

To support its ambitions, Le Large operates on a hybrid model, combining a nonprofit association that has an endowment fund and a commercial entity responsible for venue rentals and private events.

— Sarah Belmont for ArtNews, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026
Throughout the war in Iran, Chinese entities have also supplied Tehran with satellite imagery, including images of a base in Jordan that Iran struck in July, resulting in the deaths of three American service members.

— Kathleen Curlee, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of entity

Adjective

One is that with the noise in the tank, the crew will have to use the sort of personal helmet microphones as used by helicopter pilots.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
More broadly, the season moved away from formulaic dressing toward a more individual, instinctive approach to style, where contrasting references and personal expression take precedence over a single aesthetic.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of personal

Adjective

Corniel’s new settlement does not resolve separate wrongful death claims brought on behalf of Drakeo’s young son, Caiden Caldwell, by the child’s guardian.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026
Matt Schnaars, president of platform distribution and partnerships for NBCUniversal, reinforced Shapiro’s observations in a separate session.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of separate

Adjective

Bertrand Lavier’s contribution is a Formula One Renault, repainted with the thick, dynamic brushstrokes that have been characteristic of his work since the 1980s.

— Sarah Belmont for ArtNews, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026
Vaughn wrote his own obituary, filled with with his characteristic wit, weeks ago and his family posted it on his Facebook page on Monday.

— Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

Russian authorities accused the Michigan man of signing a contract with Ukraine’s military in the eastern Ukrainian city of Izyum after Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022.

— Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
The plight of his followers began to emerge in mid-March 2023, when a local man told police that his brother and wife had starved their children to death in the forest on Mackenzie's orders.

— Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of man

Noun

Astronomers were left with the troublesome task of pairing up two weird objects, smushing them together and hoping to get Lucifer as a result.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
According to the team, the coordination is important because pushing or lifting an object changes the forces acting on a humanoid’s body.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of object

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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 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of individual

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adjective

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