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
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 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
-
Rather than ship a product whose price could skyrocket overnight, Cadena and other factory managers took the extraordinary measure of holding back millions of dollars in U.S.-bound goods amid the uncertainty.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
-
To an extraordinary degree, his administration has already succeeded.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Whatever the club’s reasoning, there was something familiar and troubling about this disappointing deadline paralysis.—
Thomas Drance,
The Athletic,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
These ratings don't break down precisely when people are tuning in or specific listener demographics.—
Justin Kaufmann,
Axios,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Google probably already knows your phone number, email, and even physical address, but this tells the tool what specific information to pluck out of search results.—
Ryan Whitwam,
Ars Technica,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
Such intimate settings and a new creative focus may offer a reprieve from the pressures of global exposure online.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
26 Feb. 2025
-
The Spanish native uploaded an Instagram video of their intimate performance, showing Smith and Martinez locked in a moment of heated passion.—
Marc Griffin,
VIBE.com,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Guests can be welcomed into a tent with a special live performance of musicians before transitioning into toasts and dinner.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2025
-
The show will feature special guests and a musical performance.—
Debbie Day,
EW.com,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
One exceptional find this season is Ashlyn —founded by the South Korean designer Ashlynn Park—which had a number of looks on display in an art gallery in Paris’ first arrondissement.—
Gemma A. Williams,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
-
The core motion module is capable of a maximum joint torque of 300 N·m, a peak torque density of 203 N·m/kg, and exceptional mobility with a walking speed of 2 m/s, along with a natural human-like gait.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
The news comes as YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s prison release inches closer, following reports last month that the Baton Rouge rhymer would be let out far earlier than originally scheduled.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Especial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especial. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share