detail 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈtāl How to pronounce detail (audio)
Definition of detailnext
1
as in item
a separate part in a list, account, or series every detail was accounted for

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fact
a single piece of information didn't leave out a single detail in his police report on the burglary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in detachment
a small military unit with a special task or function the officer sent out a detail to patrol the perimeter of the compound

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in job
a specific task with which a person or group is charged the soldier was placed on guard detail at the border crossing

Synonyms & Similar Words

detail

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to station
to assign to a place or position once again he was detailed to guard duty

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to name
to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty the new assistant was detailed to accompany the boss on the business trip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to list
to specify one after another detailed all of the reasons that the plan was a bad idea

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun detail contrast with its synonyms?

The words item and particular are common synonyms of detail. While all three words mean "one of the distinct parts of a whole," detail applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process.

leave the details to others

When could item be used to replace detail?

In some situations, the words item and detail are roughly equivalent. However, item applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated.

every item on the list

When might particular be a better fit than detail?

While in some cases nearly identical to detail, particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item.

a description that included few particulars

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 detail
Noun
Peters said that on the day of the shooting, officers on an abatement detail came across a man who had a no-bail warrant and was considered a parolee at large. — Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2026 Investigators did not disclose further details surrounding the cause and manner of her death. — Seamus Bozeman follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Verb
That roundup includes the Radio Songs chart, which details the tracks that rack up the largest total number of audience impressions across all radio formats throughout the United States. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Undercover recordings allegedly captured Owens detailing how public officials could be bribed and how the illicit funds could be laundered through businesses and campaign donations, the outlet reported. — Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for detail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detail
  1. item
  2. fact
  3. detachment
  4. job
  5. station
  6. name
  7. list
  8. patrol
Noun
  • Maintain a safe distance from water, wet items, and metal objects.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 July 2026
  • Guests won't have the luxury of bringing certain comfort items, either.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of item
Noun
  • Add the question marks surrounding Rodón to the fact that Fried (elbow bone bruise) doesn’t seem likely to return for at least a few more weeks.
    — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • This ignores the obvious fact that the Constitution prohibits Congress from giving official status to any religion or from preventing someone from practicing the religion of their choice.
    — Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of fact
Noun
  • Once locked, the mechanical safety structure helps reduce the risk of accidental detachment.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 July 2026
  • What a wildly aggressive detachment from the reality of a basketball game.
    — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of detachment
Noun
  • Lee Feldman held the job for seven years until he was fired in 2018 by the commission.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • Proponents of the authorization note that the $155 million investment arrives four years after a severe drought in the Sacramento Valley in 2022 had cost local communities hundreds of millions of dollars and roughly 1,500 jobs.
    — Lyanne Wang, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Definition of job
Verb
  • The post also states that fire suppression resources will be stationed on-site.
    — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • As of Tuesday afternoon, police were still stationed outside the home.
    — Danny Freeman, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Definition of station
Verb
  • During Thursday evening’s Board of Commissioners meeting, officials unanimously, and with no additional discussion, approved Johnston’s exit agreement and named Assistant County Administrator Alan Howze as his replacement for the rest of the year.
    — Sofi Zeman July 2, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • Knoebels was named America’s best amusement and water park for 2026 in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, which is based on reviews.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of name
Verb
  • In polling those are not the issues that Americans list as most important to them.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • In April, authorities say investigators with the California’s Contractors State License Board’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team discovered online advertisements offering construction services that did not list a contractor license number.
    — Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of list
Noun
  • The highway patrol did not immediately respond to The Star’s request for comment.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • Other public safety measures the city has recently taken is the purchase of a $98,400 police patrol boat to help with the increasing number of service calls to Lake Grapevine.
    — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026
Definition of patrol

Phrases Containing detail

Browse Nearby Words

detachments
detail
detailed
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Cite this Entry

“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detail. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on detail

Nglish: Translation of detail for Spanish Speakers

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