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 Pieces that feel special but are still comfortable and easy to wear are likely to have more longevity in a customer’s wardrobe. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026 At times, Bon Marché removes merchandise for special events such as fashion shows. — David Moin, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 Only those with special clearance are supposed to access that room. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 This year’s Tokyo International Film Festival will host ‘Academy in Tokyo’, a special program welcoming top executives from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for special

Recent Examples of Synonyms for special

Adjective

But only United States has this unique intelligence to say, to tell us, to tell our side when Russia uses ballistic missiles.

— NBC news, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
Revamping a historic building with unique architecture has posed some difficulties, said Karademas.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

Friends and loved ones are mourning the man who fell to his death Monday while riding a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.

— Sarah Lynch Baldwin, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Win or lose, a candidate’s campaign will consume their life and their loved ones’; a victory guarantees their life will change forever.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of loved

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

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

These days, the jeweler is as much a designer as a diamond destination, with collections that give the precious stones a little personality.

— Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026
Non yield bearing precious metals such as gold and silver simultaneously traded down, while the US Dollar Index touched an 18 month high during intraday trading.

— , CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of precious

Adjective

Entering the weekend, the Trojans had just one win in 14 matches this season … and that lone win came in late August.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
The City Council voted 4-1 to postpone a decision on the Midas Apartments project without setting a new hearing date, with Mayor Dave Bass casting the lone dissenting vote.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of lone

Adjective

There has been a tremendous amount of recent development in Chelsea, but, ever the story in New York City, as beloved old places close their doors, new favorites emerge.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Customers will find the usual array of irresistible doughnuts, including DK’s beloved maple bacon bar.

— Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of beloved

Adjective

In the 1960s America launched the Vela fleet of satellites, whose sole task was to look at Earth’s surface and search for any telltale neutrons, x-rays and gamma rays—extremely high-energy particles—coming from a nuclear explosion.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The Manhunters rebelled against the Guardians, and most were killed; the sole survivor is hiding out in Rushville disguised as a human.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of sole

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

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Synonyms of special

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Synonyms of special

adjective

Synonym Chooser

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Phrases Containing special

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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