1
as in particularly
in the specific case of one person or thing as distinguished from others
all employees, but especially the administrative assistants, will need to learn to use the new phone system
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in extremely
to a great degree
that university is especially strong in the sciences
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in notably
in regard to something mentioned explicitly or in detail
he especially minded the proposed changes to the work schedule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of especially
The window of opportunity in professional sports — and especially, in a league with as few roster spots as the WNBA — is small.
—
Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Investors are closely watching how that will pan out, especially as Novo has lost its first-mover advantage before.
—Annika Kim Constantino,elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
The flowers depressed her, especially those already wilting.
—Allegra Goodman, Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
The excitement, especially among young people, in this state for change.
—Jack Fink, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for especially
Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Investors are closely watching how that will pan out, especially as Novo has lost its first-mover advantage before.
—Annika Kim Constantino,elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
The flowers depressed her, especially those already wilting.
—Allegra Goodman, Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
The excitement, especially among young people, in this state for change.
—Jack Fink, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for especially
Recent Examples of Synonyms for especially
Adverb
-
Butler’s new online master’s program in Deaf education will train future educators how to teach speaking and listening to deaf children, particularly kids who have cochlear implants or use other hearing technology.—
Claire Rafford,
IndyStar,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Winter Olympic athletes, particularly those who compete in events that involve flying down a mountain or icy track at breakneck speeds, are not exactly known for self-preservation instincts.—
Lindsay Schnell,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Perhaps, on extremely long timescales, those heavier elements will sink to the center of the core, producing an inert center that slows the rate of fusion even further.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Even in hockey – a sport that is extremely popular around the world – there are terms used by commentators or pundits that you might not be accustomed to hearing if not a regular to the sport.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The law names city, county, and other local agencies, as well as federal law enforcement agencies, but notably does not include law enforcement officers employed by the state, creating a distinction that the judge found discriminatory against federal agents.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
-
But even if the director is participating in a fantastical, Bridgerton-esque approach to colorblind casting — or else purposefully disrupting canonical characters’ identities despite the importance of race in the original plot — her two leads remain, quite notably, white.—
Jasmine Vojdani,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Aguilar has specifically faced sharp scrutiny in recent months by councilmembers who have encouraged the director to focus on pressing issues like surveillance cameras and drone policies.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Indonesia -- the world's most populous Muslim-majority country -- said Tuesday that its military had begun training personnel to serve in Gaza, specifically for reconstruction and humanitarian response.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The hydropower generators at Greers Ferry Dam had been idle all day, so the Little Red was very low, with just a hint of current.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Progress appeared to be very little, as Iran has sought to limit the discussions to solely its nuclear program.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
That question is something other clients have asked, too, Olins says.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The days of emphasizing sinkers and sliders and leaning too heavily on fastballs — see Dollander, Chase — are over.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
But as soon as their baby is born, despite the reassurance of all around her, Saga knows there’s something terribly wrong with her son.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The plot weaves together elements of romance, family drama and feminist struggle against the backdrop of a space walk gone terribly awry.—
Brianne Kane,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
That’s incredibly moving to me, when people can internally start seeing the other person’s point of view.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Next, Stewart moved on to the Winter Olympics and the right-wing meltdown over freestyle skier Hunter Hess’ incredibly mild comments during a press conference.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Especially.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especially. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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