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 Dead specimens were recorded in Sumatra in 1915, then there was no mention of the species until a few unconfirmed images appeared on iNaturalist in 2023 and 2024, according to the study. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025 Curio shops may sell items ranging from vintage taxidermy and unusual natural specimens to antique medical instruments and historical artifacts. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025 This means specimens no longer need to be sent via plane to Austin, reducing the time to get results from 72 hours to the same day. —Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025 Recent funding has supported the digitization of over 2,000 vertebrate specimens, including rare and endangered species. —Devon Akmon, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 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
  • The former vice president, who lost to Trump in the November election, will give her most extensive public remarks since leaving office during the keynote at the San Francisco gala, according to a person familiar with the program.
    — CNN.com, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Ever since Donald Trump nominated Pete Hegseth to be secretary of defense, critics have called the former Fox News weekend host the most underqualified person to ever hold the position.
    — John Ficarra, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of person
Noun
  • Visitors can double as such, by picking up trash, for example, and otherwise looking out for the environment at the parks.
    — Addy Bink, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2025
  • If, for example, a company spends £20m on a 10 per cent stake in Chelsea Women, then that will justify the £200m figure that has raised eyebrows.
    — Matt Slater, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of example
Noun
  • Their names appeared on a list of more than 200 Venezuelan men held in the notorious prison, which is how their family found them.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Mac Engel Fort Worth Star-Telegram 817-390-7760 Mac Engel is an award-winning columnist who has covered sports since the dawn of man; Cowboys, TCU, Stars, Rangers, Mavericks, etc. Olympics.
    — Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of man
Noun
  • The victim experienced a miscarriage approximately six months into the pregnancy, at which point detectives obtained a sample of the fetal tissue.
    — Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Detectives were able to obtain a sample of the fetal tissue, which was transported to the state forensic laboratory.
    — Staff report, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of sample
Noun
  • Enter Johnson and a new era, and a draft class full of guys who ooze competitiveness.
    — Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • This made sense: the Pope from Buenos Aires was, by nature, an urban guy.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2025
Definition of guy
Noun
  • What these leaders overlook is that strategy requires skilled, dedicated teams who can bring it to life.
    — JacLyn Pagnotta, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • But, some people can feel numb after achieving major goals in life.
    — Renée Onque, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of life
Noun
  • Niharika Desai directed the documentary, which follows the Giant Pacific Octopus and the people whose lives have been impacted in some way by the creature.
    — Abigail Lee, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025
  • In the mountains of Papua New Guinea, researchers encountered a clownish creature perched on a log in a fern meadow, basking in the sun.
    — Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of creature
Noun
  • Like other requests made to the Supreme Court, Harris took aim at the breadth of the injunctions issued by the district courts, which are nationwide in scope and cover states and individuals who are not involved in the litigation before them.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Creating a culture of fear by persecuting unpopular individuals and groups?
    — Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 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 1 May. 2025.

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