SPECIMEN Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of specimen are case , example , illustration , instance , and sample . While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available. // one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

Q: When could 'case' be used to replace 'specimen'?

While in some cases nearly identical to specimen , 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 'specimen'?

The words example and specimen can be used in similar contexts, but example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case. // a typical example of bureaucratic waste

Q: In what contexts can 'illustration' take the place of 'specimen'?

In some situations, the words illustration and specimen are roughly equivalent. However, 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 can 'instance' be used instead of 'specimen'?

The meanings of instance and specimen largely overlap; however, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain. // an instance of history repeating itself

Q: Where would 'sample' be a reasonable alternative to 'specimen'?

Although the words sample and specimen have much in common, 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

specimen

noun

ˈspes-mən

Definition of specimen

as in example

one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like chose one frog as a good specimen of the breed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in person

a member of the human race he's a particularly handsome specimen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word specimen distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of specimen are case, example, illustration, instance, and sample. While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

When could case be used to replace specimen?

While in some cases nearly identical to specimen, 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 specimen?

The words example and specimen can be used in similar contexts, but example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

In what contexts can illustration take the place of specimen?

In some situations, the words illustration and specimen are roughly equivalent. However, illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

When can instance be used instead of specimen?

The meanings of instance and specimen largely overlap; however, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

Where would sample be a reasonable alternative to specimen?

Although the words sample and specimen have much in common, 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

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 specimen After carefully selecting specimens with reliable dates and locations, the team extracted DNA using techniques designed for highly degraded historical samples. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Mass carpet roses in foundation plantings for a colorful ground layer or use larger specimens as accents. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026 Other evidence includes specimens found inside her home that do not belong to her or anyone close to her, though any updates on this DNA have not been shared publicly. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026 Biological specimens Liquid exceptions can be made in the name of science. — Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for specimen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for specimen

Noun

There are already examples in other sports of athletes moving between professional and college systems without producing the same alarm.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
CrowdStrike offered another example of AI becoming a tailwind rather than a threat.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of example

Noun

Its movements and squeaks change in response to the person interacting with it, giving caregivers another way to reduce distress and encourage engagement.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Dramatic video showed the rescue of one such person as authorities from Nepal worked to drag the man out of the mud deluge.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of person

Noun

Everyone appreciated having access to writing samples, but two participants wanted additional context around each example.

— Jehan Lalkaka, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
However, the real science will begin when future Artemis astronauts bring back new lunar samples from deeper beneath the surface over the coming years.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of sample

Noun

The Ravens haven’t traditionally kept a third quarterback on the 53-man roster, but Fagnano starred throughout the preseason, completing 75 percent of his passes and throwing for 509 yards and three touchdowns.

— Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Davis is the only person still alive among the four men prosecutors say were in the Cadillac.

— Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of man

Noun

These guys have such a burden on them in general at this level, but no one on our team has a bigger burden on his shoulders than him.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Beyond the price tag, a point of pride for Marchitelli is dressing his guys for some of the biggest moments of their careers, whether that be their wedding day or Super Bowl Sunday.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of guy

Noun

For the traditional Telugu Hindu ceremony, their priest translated Sanskrit to English in real time, and the mandap was designed as a circle to represent how life flows into itself for eternity.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
Your stories are a great reminder of what sports teaches high school students about life.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of life

Noun

Niemiller and his team have named the new species Demogorgonichthys arcanus, a wink to the otherworldly creature that emerged in a secret federal lab in the Netflix series Stranger Things.

— Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026
And then in Book 2, that attraction that the creatures have to him in the magical world of Gilmouria becomes stronger.

— Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of creature

Noun

In a statement to PEOPLE, a Fort Collins Police spokesperson confirmed that six individuals were transported by ambulance to area hospitals, including the driver, who was described only as an adult male.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Its officers have the authority to detain individuals until Kansas City police arrive.

— Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of individual

Browse Nearby Words

specifying

specimen

specimens

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Style

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

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Synonyms of specimen

noun

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Synonyms of specimen

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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Articles Related to specimen

'Speculate': Looking for a Profit

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