INDIVIDUAL Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'individual' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of individual are especial , particular , special , and specific . While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group. // valued each individual opinion

Q: Where would 'especial' be a reasonable alternative to 'individual'?

The words especial and individual can be used in similar contexts, but especial may add implications of preeminence or preference. // a matter of especial importance

Q: When would 'particular' be a good substitute for 'individual'?

The words particular and individual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual. // a ballet step of particular difficulty

Q: When is 'special' a more appropriate choice than 'individual'?

The synonyms special and individual are sometimes interchangeable, but special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own. // special ingredients

Q: When could 'specific' be used to replace 'individual'?

While in some cases nearly identical to individual , specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species. // children with specific nutritional needs

individual 1 of 2

noun

Definition of individual

as in person

a member of the human race every individual has value

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in entity

one that has a real and independent existence our general concept of what constitutes a chair is based on our experience with many individuals that were called chairs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nonentity

individual

2 of 2

adjective

ˌin-də-ˈvi-jə-wəl

as in subjective

of, relating to, or belonging to a single person everyone has his or her own individual opinion about the subject, but you will have to work together

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in separate

not the same or shared guest rooms at the inn have individual bathrooms

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in characteristic

serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group he's got a highly individual laugh that I would know anywhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective individual differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of individual are especial, particular, special, and specific. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to individual?

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

a matter of especial importance

When would particular be a good substitute for individual?

The words particular and individual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

When is special a more appropriate choice than individual?

The synonyms special and individual are sometimes interchangeable, but special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

When could specific be used to replace individual?

While in some cases nearly identical to individual, specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

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 individual

Noun

Holding a second job was prohibited, regardless of an individual’s financial situation, to ensure that employees devoted all their energy and attention to UPS. — Marc Levinson, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026 Their point was to maintain an environment where work could be conducted safely without disruption while recognizing the rights of all individuals. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Adjective

The individual plaintiffs join the three news outlets in filing a First Amendment lawsuit against the administration. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2026 Yet much attention remains focused on whether individual leaders have the resilience and capabilities to navigate these conditions. — Carol Geffner, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for individual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for individual

Noun

The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a continuing criminal investigation.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
At current growth rates, output per person doubles in twenty years in the US and takes forty-three years in the EU.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of person

Noun

Nevertheless, analysts caution that evaluating the deal requires assessing whether the combined entity can generate distinct operational synergies and unlock long term expansion potential.

— , CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Other creators have followed similar paths of using YouTube as a launching point to becoming a larger corporate entity.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of entity

Adjective

Hemsworth’s work has always spanned genres—just look at his omnivorous DJ sets—but Numbskull positions him as a more traditional songwriter, underscored by the album’s personal, earnest tone.

— Mehan Jayasuriya, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
The magnitude of the devastation is made personal for all of us.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of personal

Adjective

Davis’s letter follows a separate ethics complaint filed by a conservative watchdog group to the Senate Select Committee on Ethics over Slotkin’s University of Chicago remarks, first reported by the Washington Examiner on Tuesday.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
Ticketmaster also faces a separate lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission and seven states.

— James LaForge, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of separate

Adjective

In each case, what began as the characteristic business cultures of the two AI superpowers is now embedded in their foreign policy.

— NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
Humans, for example, typically have their hearts on the left, while other internal organs occupy characteristic positions.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

Sal Frelick moved in from left to form a five-man infield, with three defenders on the left side and everyone playing in.

— Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
But, since the Japanese Shogi Association was established in 1924, every single kishi player has been a man.

— Will Barker, TheWeek, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of man

Noun

Throughout the building, a selection of artworks and unique objects is meant to reflect the house’s longstanding relationship with British creativity and the arts.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026
In one instance, a simple game of catch later evolved into variations that included multiple objects, timing rules, and even juggling.

— Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of object

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inditing

individual

individualism

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“Individual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/individual. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of individual

noun

adjective

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