1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
a candidate who handled the stunning defeat with especial grace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of especial
Both took especial glee in going after Ramaswamy, a Trump for the millennial set so automatic in his Trumpier-than-thou responses to any question that Christie lampooned him as a sort of ChatGPT version of a Republican candidate.
—
Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2023
The city has an especial affinity for literature.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 2 Mar. 2022
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
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
See All Example Sentences for especial
Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2023
The city has an especial affinity for literature.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 2 Mar. 2022
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
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
See All Example Sentences for especial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for especial
Adjective
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This extraordinary endorsement from the highest levels of government underscores just how mainstream bitcoin has become.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
-
The items range from the everyday to the extraordinary.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This option was once seen as extreme but is now drawing increasing interest within the conference, according to several sources familiar.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
30 July 2025
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And which familiar voices will play its ensemble of cops, crooks, and citizens?—
EW.com,
EW.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Each was assigned a specific draft strategy to follow to the best of their ability.—
Jay Felicio,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
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Unlike other streaming platforms, new Neon film releases on Hulu aren’t relegated to a specific day.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Summer storms cause travel headaches every year, but these numbers are not unusual.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
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Their target area was unusual, though: a strip of lawn between the road and a fence bordering Interstate 65, where homeless people have set up about two dozen tents over the first half of this year.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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The intimate 38-seat space is stylish and personal, adorned with family photos and handcrafted touches from loved ones.—
Bahar Anooshahr,
AZCentral.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Crowded House are heading back on the road in Australia this October and November, but this time, fans can expect something a little more intimate.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Seely is survived by numerous friends, family members, and her special cat, Corrie.—
Lauren Huff Published,
EW.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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And anyone that pre-orders, will get a special Day One bonus slip-cover for their case.—
David Jagneaux,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Physicists are creating quantum computers with exceptional computing speeds, enabling a new kind of analytics and cryptography.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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If De La Cruz is better to his left because Hayes is on his right, the infield should be relatively airtight with second baseman Matt McLain and Spencer Steer, who has quickly become an exceptional defensive first baseman.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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With the calendar officially flipped to August, the Miami Herald is counting down 30 of the most important players on the Hurricanes’ roster, one per day leading up to the season opener, to provide a closer look at the team heading into coach Mario Cristobal’s fourth season.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
3 Aug. 2025
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Moussa Mara, Mali's former prime minister, was detained pending trial over expressing compassion on X for people jailed for their political beliefs, said Abdoulaye Yaro, a close associate.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Especial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especial. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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