1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
a candidate who handled the stunning defeat with especial grace
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in familiar
closely acquainted
he told his especial friends about the job offer but kept everyone else in the dark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in specific
of a particular or exact sort
with a very ordinary lawn, we don't have any especial need for a gardener
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of especial
Delivery is important in any form of storytelling, and in observational comedy cadence is the especial engine of wit.
—
Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2023
People who live in assisted living facilities are at especial risk for dying from COVID-19.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2020
This project had drawn his attention to Pine Island Bay as a coastal area where the outer edge of glaciers might calve or break apart into icebergs with especial rapidity.
—Marissa Grunes, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2023
But researchers have identified a handful of seismic zones around the globe that are storing up especial amounts of stress and are particularly hazardous.
—Aline Reynolds, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2010
See All Example Sentences for especial
Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2023
People who live in assisted living facilities are at especial risk for dying from COVID-19.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2020
This project had drawn his attention to Pine Island Bay as a coastal area where the outer edge of glaciers might calve or break apart into icebergs with especial rapidity.
—Marissa Grunes, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2023
But researchers have identified a handful of seismic zones around the globe that are storing up especial amounts of stress and are particularly hazardous.
—Aline Reynolds, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2010
See All Example Sentences for especial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for especial
Adjective
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When these guys become older, their skills will be even more extraordinary.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Billboard,
27 Feb. 2025
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Between 2019 and 2024, the average age of the fleet rose 2.2 years — an extraordinary increase given the higher retirement rate of aircraft during more than a year of COVID.—
Oliver Wyman,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The idea is both familiar and transformative: public fridges, placed in neighborhoods, stocked by the people, for the people—no questions asked.—
The Glamour editors,
Glamour,
8 Mar. 2025
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The café’s influence is visible at Cora, where the menu includes both familiar and new items, such as a kinako twice-baked croissant and a miso chocolate dulce de leche cookie.—
Rachel King,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Some concern over Tesla involves the company’s performance, while others are specific to Musk, who is spending much of his time in Washington D.C Consumers are also growing worried about the impact of Trump’s tariffs on the economy.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2025
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Mario Tama/Getty Images Job cuts impact the visitor experience The NPS has not publicly confirmed the number or types of jobs lost at specific national parks, nor responded to NPR's requests for comment.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Local meteorologists noted that these events were highly unusual for the region, with historical data showing only sporadic snowfall over the past several decades.—
Jim Foerster,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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Bringing such a case is highly unusual and winning a conviction would be difficult, according to current and former prosecutors.—
Glenn Thrush,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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No matter the sailing, there are few easier ways to make new traveling friends than a river cruise thanks to their intimate size and small-group excursions and activities.—
Jeri Clausing,
AFAR Media,
26 Feb. 2025
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The company attributed this improved performance to the end of a destocking cycle among its customers and higher demand for sportswear, intimate apparel and sweaters.—
Phisanu Phromchanya,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The company will also sell special ticket packages that include admission to all three events, with On Location also selling VIP experiences.—
Alex Weprin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
26 Feb. 2025
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The special focused on Mal and King Ben (Mitchell Hope)’s nuptials.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Tilda Swinton, 'Michael Clayton' (2008) Swinton and George Clooney make exceptional adversaries in the engrossing legal thriller.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
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The report found the company to be exceptional, with quibbles so minor that explaining them here would require a crash course in the dense lexicon of climate reporting.—
Justin Worland,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But longtime close watchers of Epstein and his legal ordeal made the case in a series of posts on X that such a list may never emerge.—
Chad de Guzman,
TIME,
28 Feb. 2025
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Starmer’s deal would send the island chain to Mauritius, a former British colony and current close ally of China.—
Naomi Lim,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Especial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especial. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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