specimen

noun

ˈspes-mən How to pronounce specimen (audio)
Definition of specimennext
1
as in person
a member of the human race he's a particularly handsome specimen

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in example
one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like chose one frog as a good specimen of the breed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word specimen distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of specimen are case, example, illustration, instance, and sample. While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

When could case be used to replace specimen?

While in some cases nearly identical to specimen, case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

When would example be a good substitute for specimen?

The words example and specimen can be used in similar contexts, but example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

In what contexts can illustration take the place of specimen?

In some situations, the words illustration and specimen are roughly equivalent. However, illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

When can instance be used instead of specimen?

The meanings of instance and specimen largely overlap; however, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

Where would sample be a reasonable alternative to specimen?

Although the words sample and specimen have much in common, sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

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 specimen Since going by appearance alone isn’t enough, the scientists conducted extensive analyses of both types of frogs to confirm that the striped and spotted dart frog specimens truly represented two new species. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 14 May 2025 Larger specimens must be served piecemeal, like the carcass of a feisty Cuban crocodile known as Fidel, obtained from the Bronx Zoo in 2005. —Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 13 May 2025 The animal has only been seen once in 30 years, and all descriptions of it stem from a handful of museum specimens. —Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 25 May 2025 The significance of such specimens underscores why scientific access should be prioritized over private fossil collection, Chapman added. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for specimen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specimen
  1. person
  2. example
  3. man
  4. sample
  5. guy
  6. life
  7. creature
  8. individual
Noun
  • Officers found that a person sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle had been shot by an unknown suspect.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2025
  • The person could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 June 2025
Definition of person
Noun
  • For example, the family of Martin Gutierrez, whose body was found in the lake in 2018, before the media frenzy around Lady Bird Lake, believe he was drugged while on a night out.
    — Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
  • For example, many foreign governments have sought to sign contracts with Musk’s Starlink service, which some diplomats have told CNN was viewed as helpful to trade talks.
    — Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Definition of example
Noun
  • Real Quiet is denied the Triple Crown when Victory Gallop edges him at the wire in the Belmont Stakes. 1999 — Andre Agassi rallies to win the French Open and become the fifth man to complete a career Grand Slam.
    — Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • Trump brought up Musk's federal contracts in a post on Truth Social after the two men hurled personal attacks as Musk, a former top Trump advisor, tries to build momentum to defeat the president's tax and policy bill.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Definition of man
Noun
  • The sample size for Turner is a slash line of .268/.326/.366 in 44 at-bats.
    — Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • Tickets for the cooking challenge are $70 per person and include three drinks on top of the competition samples and other bites from Mulvaney’s, according to the organizers.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
Definition of sample
Noun
  • Show me another time in the history of New York sports when there was a vacancy involving a big job like this and the guy conducting the search for a replacement tried to interview a bunch of guys under contract somewhere else.
    — Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025
  • Sometimes, those father figures were uncles, pastors, barbers, or that older guy from the block.
    — Conial Caldwell Jr, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2025
Definition of guy
Noun
  • The feature-length documentary, releasing June 10, is the first in a weekly series that digs into big event meltdowns that made headlines, created corporate scandals, and often cost lives.
    — Rory Doherty, Time, 10 June 2025
  • Mitch is a successful banker who hates his job and the life it’s bought him, with a wife who does not understand him.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
Definition of life
Noun
  • Even more astonishing, the largest migration on Earth occurs daily as deep-sea creatures rise to the surface under cover of night to make their way to other areas.
    — Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • An invasive creature native to South America has been spotted at a Northern California park, prompting a search, rangers reported.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025
Definition of creature
Noun
  • Wastewater surveillance has the potential to identify possible cases days before an individual shows symptoms or seeks care.
    — Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
  • Pet Zebra Remains 'On the Loose' in Tennessee After Escaping Home and Causing Chaos on Interstate In a video shared by the Associated Press on Instagram, the elephant stands in the middle of the store as individuals inside work to shoo him out.
    — Rachel Flynn, People.com, 4 June 2025
Definition of individual

Browse Nearby Words

specifying
specimen
specimens
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Specimen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specimen. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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