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
1
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
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
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Jan. 2026
In addition, Unofficial Networks mentioned plans to reintroduced and expand the Almanac's print media, though details on what that will look like was not in the release.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Adam Reiss, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
In her 2024 Rolling Stone cover story, the singer detailed everything that went into planning her career-spanning live effort, from choosing the set list to finding inspiration in both Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour and Taylor Swift’s Eras tour.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detail
Noun
Smitten with this unknown woman and having few details to confirm her identity, Benedict teams up with Eloise (Claudia Jesse) and Penelope (Nicola Coughlan), aka Lady Whistledown (still voiced by Julie Andrews), to find his fleeing dance partner.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Jan. 2026
In addition, Unofficial Networks mentioned plans to reintroduced and expand the Almanac's print media, though details on what that will look like was not in the release.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
Garnett’s pivotal rulings came a day after a 35-year-old Minnesota man was charged with impersonating an FBI agent in an apparent attempt to spring Mangione from federal lockup in Brooklyn in a bizarre episode detailed in court documents.
—Adam Reiss, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
In her 2024 Rolling Stone cover story, the singer detailed everything that went into planning her career-spanning live effort, from choosing the set list to finding inspiration in both Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour and Taylor Swift’s Eras tour.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detail
Noun
-
Ellison said Minnesota sought and obtained a temporary restraining order to prevent the federal government from destroying or altering evidence, including items federal agents removed from the scene.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
But some items that use the form of invitations are actually ticket sales slips, and may be ignored by those not planning to buy.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In fact, many other factors are much more important.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
In fact, there is irritation about the level of criticism and a faction of the fanbase intent on pushing the idea that his job will surely be on the line if results do not improve soon.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Gildenman was given his own detachment to command, which became known as Uncle Misha’s Jewish Group.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The cold grifter, on the other hand, is usually motivated by sociopathy or emotional detachment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For Joseph, a couple of these jobs look like dead ends anyway.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
-
That should also decrease the likelihood of mass layoffs or displacement, giving workers a chance to find jobs elsewhere.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This will be the fifth trip to space for the first-stage booster, which will aim for a recovery landing downrange on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas stationed in the Atlantic.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Foege, a key player in the global effort to eradicate smallpox, was stationed by the CDC in India in the early 1970s, helping that country with the gargantuan challenge of stopping spread of this horrible disease within its borders.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
He is not being named because he hasn't been charged with a crime.—
Megan De Mar,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Matt Byrne is the Bob Holt Razorback Reporter, named in honor of the longtime reporter who covered University of Arkansas sports.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Jackson was not listed on the Pulaski County jail's roster Sunday night.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Alex Sarr’s status The Wizards are listing second-year center Alex Sarr as questionable for Sunday’s game due to right calf soreness.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bovino joined the Border Patrol in 1996 and was named chief patrol agent of the El Centro Sector of Southern California in 2020, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Today, his office oversees full-service patrol, investigations, warrant and civil divisions, a 400-bed facility and nearly 200 employees.—
Angela George,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detail. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
