SPECIFIC Synonyms: 193 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'specific' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of specific are especial , individual , particular , and special . While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species. // children with specific nutritional needs

Q: Where would 'especial' be a reasonable alternative to 'specific'?

The words especial and specific can be used in similar contexts, but especial may add implications of preeminence or preference. // a matter of especial importance

Q: When can 'individual' be used instead of 'specific'?

While the synonyms individual and specific are close in meaning, individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group. // valued each individual opinion

Q: When could 'particular' be used to replace 'specific'?

The synonyms particular and specific are sometimes interchangeable, but particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual. // a ballet step of particular difficulty

Q: When is it sensible to use 'special' instead of 'specific'?

In some situations, the words special and specific are roughly equivalent. However, special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own. // special ingredients

specific 1 of 2

adjective

spi-ˈsi-fik

Definition of specific

as in special

of a particular or exact sort we need a specific type of pen to sign the diplomas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in explicit

so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning specific instructions regarding the interrogation of prisoners

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

specific

2 of 2

noun

as in fact

a single piece of information although the speech was long on rhetoric and platitudinous generalities, it lacked specifics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in characteristic

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind the two submissions differ only in certain specifics

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in drug

a substance or preparation used to treat disease quinine is a specific for malaria

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective specific differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of specific are especial, individual, particular, and special. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to specific?

The words especial and specific can be used in similar contexts, but especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

When can individual be used instead of specific?

While the synonyms individual and specific are close in meaning, individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

When could particular be used to replace specific?

The synonyms particular and specific are sometimes interchangeable, but particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

When is it sensible to use special instead of specific?

In some situations, the words special and specific are roughly equivalent. However, special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

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 specific

Adjective

Think heavy grease, hard-water deposits, and mold, which are better addressed with products formulated for those specific problems. — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026 Suddenly, scientists could observe features specific to modern-day insect body plans, like three distinct thoracic segments and three pairs of legs. — New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

Noun

Yet researchers still don’t understand specifics around the effects of exercise on people in adverse emotional states. — Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 While the specifics of his injury are currently unknown, his teammates’ reaction was telling. — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for specific

Recent Examples of Synonyms for specific

Adjective

At a special fair contest, Iowa pie bakers gave the Pie Lady Louise Piper a fitting farewell.

— Courtney Crowder, Des Moines Register, 28 Aug. 2026
If your stay involves a special occasion, the Teppanyaki show-cooking experience makes for an unforgettable celebration.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of special

Adjective

The movie boasts entirely original characters, Lovecraftian vibes, a young Brad Pitt, and explicit horniness.

— James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
That can mean funding small pilot programs, giving teams explicit room to experiment within reasonable guardrails, or simply promoting the people already finding smarter ways to work before anyone told them to.

— Stacy L. Hambleton, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of explicit

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

According to the team, each of those characteristics plays out similarly in real fish of various sizes across different ecological niches.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
And most simulants of lunar material are faithful in their geological characteristics, to simulate the lunar surface and its dust, rather than the precise chemistry within.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

Grande became the face of an ongoing conversation around health, and the cultural pendulum swing away from body positivity to the glorification of thinness, ignited by the proliferation of weight-loss drugs.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
Researchers spent decades trying to target a group of mutations called RAS — responsible for nearly a third of all human cancers — but the protein’s flat shape defied typical drugs.

— Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of drug

Adjective

And most simulants of lunar material are faithful in their geological characteristics, to simulate the lunar surface and its dust, rather than the precise chemistry within.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026
How the landslide happened The precise cause of the landslide remains under investigation.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of precise

Adjective

Serving a vital manufacturing and export region in China, the Shenzhen facility supports growing cross-border trade, e-commerce shipments and time-definite international express services.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026
But there are definite issues with trying to juggle everything at the same time.

— Charles Moss, SPIN, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of definite

Noun

Although the book contains a disclaimer saying some facts were changed, Palal argued that names, hotels and other details changed while the central account did not.

— Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Before committing to a course, trip, publication, or larger plan, verify the details that could change your decision.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of detail

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

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Synonyms of specific

adjective

noun

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