1
as in especially
in regard to something mentioned explicitly or in detail specifically, I object to the second point

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in particularly
in the specific case of one person or thing as distinguished from others the medical study is focused on women, and specifically older women

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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 specifically The city of Sacramento is not on track with its goals for developing housing in general and affordable housing specifically. Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025 In fact, studies have shown that tobacco companies specifically target minors for their sales. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2025 By Katie Camero Other winning options: PRX does offer a slightly cheaper version featuring 2x3 uprights and an option with a kipping bar (which is a pull-up bar specifically designed for the kipping pull-ups commonly incorporated into CrossFit workouts). Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025 This includes arguably the most advanced and specifically focused voice recognition/control system in the TV world. John Archer, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for specifically
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specifically
Adverb
  • Korean men, especially firstborn sons like Lee, face pressure to be successful in their careers and provide for their families.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 8 June 2025
  • And yet, for all that’s different around the franchise — especially in the last two seasons as Indiana has evolved into the WNBA’s most popular team — plenty has stayed the same.
    Ben Pickman, New York Times, 8 June 2025
Adverb
  • With over 300 individual components that all have to work together, the design and construction of the James Webb Space Telescope gave experts a particularly difficult set of engineering problems, from trying to fit the telescope into a rocket to cleaning its mirrors without damaging them.
    Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 15 June 2025
  • Television viewers around the world were awed by real-time coverage of that war and of the technology, particularly the stealth bomber and smart bombs the U.S.-led coalition used to smash Iraq’s enormous army in mere weeks.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Adverb
  • Over the years, she's also made appearances in several TV shows, most notably ER, Mad About You and In the Heat of the Night.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Yet recent actions by both Elon Musk and prominent academic institutions—most notably Harvard, but also Columbia, MIT, and others—suggest that even the most successful individuals and organizations are capable of ignoring foundational wisdom.
    Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Adverb
  • Match It to Your Skin Type Some sunscreens are specially formulated for a particular skin type.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 4 June 2025
  • Other nighttime parades, like Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, are exclusive to specially ticketed after-hours events and not included with standard park admission like Disney Starlight will be.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Specifically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specifically. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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