SPECIAL NEEDS Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

special-needs

adjective

Definition of special-needs

as in disabled

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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-needs Roell was later accused of abusing nonverbal special-needs students at Crosby Elementary School, authorities said. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2026 The couple had a son, Colin, and founded The Denver Foundation to help special-needs children after Colin was diagnosed with severe autism. — Sophie Clausen, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 Those organizations then help students access educational opportunities ranging from tutoring and special-needs services to career training, educational technology, dual-enrollment courses and private school tuition where appropriate. — Jeffrey S. Trimbath, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2026 Reliability becomes even more critical in special-needs transportation environments, where coordination, communication, and timing often carry heightened importance for students, caregivers, and school systems. — Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 2 June 2026 The great thing about Coverdell accounts is that they can be used before college for expenses like private school, tutoring, uniforms, and even special-needs services. — Sarah Scott, Parents, 2 June 2026 One minute, my paintings were going to HSS; the next, to foster homes — no, schools for special-needs kids. — Blake Crisses, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2026 Alejandro was non-verbal and had attended Greater Heights Academy, a West Kendall school for special-needs children. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026 From there, families often consider tools like a special-needs trust. — Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for special-needs

Adjective

The Giants also provided updates on a pair of ailing position players.

— Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Midway through the tour, Bonham had to leave to tend to his ailing mother.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of ailing

Adjective

Alejandro Diaz Torriente, 67, inserted himself into the incapacitated woman’s life to take her money and her property, according to a 2023 arrest affidavit.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Leagues want franchises to have predictable and reliable succession plans for when a controlling owner dies or becomes incapacitated.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of incapacitated

Adjective

But in Meriwether’s hands, the show became a propulsive exploration of both women’s trauma and the misogynistic criminal justice system that’s unfit to deal with it.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026
The complaint also alleges Wendy's failed to warn customers of the alleged danger and served food that was unfit for human consumption.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of unfit

Adjective

Related Stories The film follows Di Marco’s titular character, a disabled young adult who works as a dominant at a fetish house.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
David Lugo earned a modest living as a mechanic throughout his life, supporting his mother and disabled sister, but three years ago, the 60-year-old's kidneys failed.

— Rina Nakano, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of disabled

Adjective

Alvarez missed training earlier on Wednesday after feeling unwell the day before, according to Atletico sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

— Pol Ballús, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
As Florio weighed in on Aikman’s dual roles as a commentator and a consultant for the Miami Dolphins when Holley began looking unwell and started to sway in the moments leading up to him losing consciousness.

— Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of unwell

Adjective

On the island, the team makes the acquaintance of Rex (Hayden Chamberlain), a paraplegic dog who has been stranded there for two years and in that time has befriended the dinosaurs and constructed an elaborate treehouse for himself.

— Caspar Salmon, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Others are blind or paraplegic, using wheelchairs, walkers or canes, like her.

— Rachel Hale, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of paraplegic

Adjective

Some recalls, Eskin said, are made after companies’ routine testing catches a pathogen before anyone gets sick, while others involve outbreaks that are already underway and vary widely in size and severity.

— Dian Zhang, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Sanchez also ordered a meal from Taco Bell, but didn’t get sick.

— Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of sick

Browse Nearby Words

specially

special-needs

specialness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Special-needs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special-needs. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of special-needs

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes