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specific

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective specific differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of specific are especial, individual, particular, and special. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to specific?

The words especial and specific can be used in similar contexts, but especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

When can individual be used instead of specific?

While the synonyms individual and specific are close in meaning, individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

When could particular be used to replace specific?

The synonyms particular and specific are sometimes interchangeable, but particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

When is it sensible to use special instead of specific?

In some situations, the words special and specific are roughly equivalent. However, special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

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 specific
Adjective
Though, when looking at specific issues, that confidence drops further. Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2025 For the Los Angeles Chargers, Day 2 of the draft was about addressing needs, both on a broad level and a specific level. Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
All told, the specifics of memory and storage drive home that the Mac mini is far more suitable to mainstream users, while the Mac Studio is for a more exacting, professional market that needs those expensive, lofty levels of RAM and storage. PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025 While the menu specifics are under wraps for now, this will be the first Nobu restaurant to open in Egypt. Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for specific
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specific
Adjective
  • Why the Chargers drafted him: When picking this far at the end of the draft, special teams tends to be the first fit, and Bridges is eager to apply his skills.
    Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Kansas coach Bill Self already has a special connection with UTEP transfer guard Ahamad Bynum.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Yes, there will be other shows — and, in fact, Star Wars is coming off its most successful year in producing TV shows with less explicit, fan-service-y connection to the movies, though The Acolyte was canceled and the future of Skeleton Crew remains in doubt.
    Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Norris steps out of the aisle and appears to direct two other men in, though no explicit order could be heard.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • These are powerful drugs — antipsychotics, sedatives, sleep aids — each carrying their own risks.
    Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Authorities uncovered drugs, including pink cocaine, as well as evidence of prostitution and multiple firearms during the operation, according to the DEA.
    Danielle Wallace , Bonny Chu , Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In fact, the output is the most finely ground of any of these machines.
    Kat Merck, Wired News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • In fact, yeshiva school days are often longer than those in public schools, providing ample time for both.
    David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Both dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide, which are part of the same chemical group, have overlapping characteristics, which is why the results can’t definitively differentiate between the two molecules, but future observations might, the study authors said.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2025
  • This is highly specific work that depends on each plantation's unique characteristics, including location, soil type, and coffee variety.
    Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The most selective institutions sometimes take a more cautious approach to deferrals, particularly when managing precise class sizes or specialized programs.
    Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • But researchers also determined a precise mixture of extra ingredients to give their faux-calamari its familiar textural springiness.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Call me crazy, but there’s a definite pulp feel to all the prison scenes and sets, too.
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • But there was a definite hostage-video vibe to her appearances during the presidential campaign, giving students of body language a speculative field day.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In the first days of testimony in the remedy trial being heard at the D.C. federal court, Microsoft comes up frequently.
    Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The remedy that will follow the decision could break up the company, or at least separate its Chrome web browser business from the rest of the portfolio.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Specific.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specific. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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