detail 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈtāl How to pronounce detail (audio)
Definition of detailnext
1
as in item
a separate part in a list, account, or series every detail was accounted for

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fact
a single piece of information didn't leave out a single detail in his police report on the burglary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in detachment
a small military unit with a special task or function the officer sent out a detail to patrol the perimeter of the compound

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in job
a specific task with which a person or group is charged the soldier was placed on guard detail at the border crossing

Synonyms & Similar Words

detail

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to station
to assign to a place or position once again he was detailed to guard duty

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to name
to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty the new assistant was detailed to accompany the boss on the business trip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to list
to specify one after another detailed all of the reasons that the plan was a bad idea

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun detail contrast with its synonyms?

The words item and particular are common synonyms of detail. While all three words mean "one of the distinct parts of a whole," detail applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process.

leave the details to others

When could item be used to replace detail?

In some situations, the words item and detail are roughly equivalent. However, item applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated.

every item on the list

When might particular be a better fit than detail?

While in some cases nearly identical to detail, particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item.

a description that included few particulars

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 detail
Noun
While no further details were available about the service at press time, in announcing her death last week, Parton’s nephew, Brian Seaver, revealed in a video that his aunt had a special request for how she should be buried. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Aug. 2026 Fatality figures in China under question Meanwhile in China on Monday, the country's foreign ministry denied reports that officials in Beijing had ignored early warning signs of the disaster or downplayed the details of casualties. — Mamita Bhandari, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
As always when talking about cutting spending, no one ever begins to detail enough spending cuts to make a dent in our deficits. — Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Several independent monitor reports, which the Hartford Courant also obtained through a Freedom of Information request, detailed continued staffing shortages, worker injuries and a lack of maintenance in the facility. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detail
  1. item
  2. fact
  3. detachment
  4. job
  5. station
  6. name
  7. list
  8. patrol
Noun
  • Transporting these items is repetitive and physically demanding work that can take nurses and other employees away from clinical responsibilities.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • From travel dresses to a lightweight sweater, here are 14 items from Quince’s Workwear Edit that would look great on you on your next flight, starting at $20.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of item
Noun
  • Verify the numbers, name the next step, and let clear facts make the agreement feel safer for everyone involved.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
  • If the aim, as stated, is to deal an economic blow to Iran, the fact is that the country is already under severe strain.
    — Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of fact
Noun
  • Whether through psychological detachment, restorative activities like sauna, or adequate sleep, recovery protects the capacities leaders need to operate effectively.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Apple’s gyrations are the latest demonstration of the stock’s increasing detachment from the broader market.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of detachment
Noun
  • It’s mainly centered on Billie, who is worried about an old Facebook post standing in the way of finding a job.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Do artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT eliminate jobs, create new ones, or both?
    — Jeffrey C. Dixon, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of job
Verb
  • Once again, Menon will be stationed in Canada's 56-foot-long Canadarm2 robotic arm, while Adenot will be tethered to the space station.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The first-stage booster for this mission made its fleet-leading 37th trip to space with a recovery landing downrange on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas stationed in the Atlantic.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of station
Verb
  • The hero of this historic draw was undeniably Vozinha, who made seven crucial saves throughout the match and was named Player of the Match.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Sun conjoins Mercury in Virgo and your 4th House of Home, Family, and Emotional Roots, helping private needs become easier to name.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of name
Verb
  • There isn’t room on a roster to list all the positions where North Chicago senior Amari Earl could play in a single game.
    — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Omarr Norman-Lott is listed below, beginning the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of list
Noun
  • As the trooper worked to secure Guerrero-Chavez back in his patrol vehicle, he was hit by a passing Ford Focus driven by Ashton Berry of Kansas City.
    — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Military working dogs are routinely used in roles including explosives detection, patrol operations, search missions and force-protection duties.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of patrol

Phrases Containing detail

Browse Nearby Words

detachments
detail
detailed
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Cite this Entry

“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detail. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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