special

adjective

ˈspe-shəl How to pronounce special (audio)
Definition of specialnext
1
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
2
as in loved
granted special treatment or attention one student who was treated as special by the teacher

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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 Even more special is the opportunity to share their Dominican heritage with the community through food. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026 So StudioCanal has decided to mark both occasions with a special theatrical rerelease of the film this weekend. — ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026 Superintendent Marlon Mitchell said they’ll be sworn in at an upcoming special meeting. — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 The fest will feature a star-studded, all-women lineup including Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Mitski, Doechii and special guests Karen O, Sarah McLachlan and Stevie Nicks. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for special
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special
  1. unique
  2. loved
  3. specific
  4. one
  5. precious
  6. lone
  7. beloved
  8. sole
Adjective
  • Under the rule, states must supply the USPS with lists of mail ballot recipients, and all outbound and return ballot envelopes must bear unique barcodes.
    — Andrew Chung, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The extreme environment has long given researchers a unique perspective on what makes plants grow, insight that would be hard to obtain elsewhere.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • No details about the funeral service have yet been released, though TMZ reported that her family is planning a small ceremony in Nashville for her closest family and loved ones.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of loved
Adjective
  • The Vikings will use him on special teams and as a game-plan-specific blitzer.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Lives built around specific products, even at a few thousand followers, are becoming a viable path to affiliate income.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 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
  • Legends like this one only serve to enhance the value of certain masterpieces crafted from diamonds and precious stones.
    — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But even more than that, consumers want to trust in organizations while discretionary spending is more precious amid inflation, stagnant wages, and a higher cost of living.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of precious
Adjective
  • Councilmember Barbara Leary, a longtime environmental activist and the lone opposing vote on the Toll Brothers project, said applications calling for the removal of those 29 acres have already been submitted.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Adobos, whether with three chiles or the lone suave guajillo chile, become life-giving purees for marinated fish, chicken and beef shank.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of lone
Adjective
  • The rollout that led up to it offers a useful case study in how to reintroduce a dormant but beloved act without leaning on nostalgia alone.
    — Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The crowd stood and shared in the moving moment, bidding a beloved star farewell.
    — Chris Parton, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of beloved
Adjective
  • However, many trade associations include sole proprietors who don't qualify for an AHP, and some organizations have members in a range of industries.
    — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Players who complete a series of optional quests involving the Divine Child—a young girl who is the sole survivor of experiments by the heretical monks of Ashina’s Senpou Temple—can choose the Return ending.
    — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sole

Phrases Containing special

Browse Nearby Words

spears
special
special deliveries
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Cite this Entry

“Special.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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