SPECIFIC Synonyms: 193 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of specific are especial , individual , particular , and special . While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species. // children with specific nutritional needs

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

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

Q: When can 'individual' be used instead of 'specific'?

While the synonyms individual and specific are close in meaning, individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group. // valued each individual opinion

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

The synonyms particular and specific are sometimes interchangeable, but particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual. // a ballet step of particular difficulty

Q: When is it sensible to use 'special' instead of 'specific'?

In some situations, the words special and specific are roughly equivalent. However, special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own. // special ingredients

specific 1 of 2

adjective

spi-ˈsi-fik

Definition of specific

as in special

of a particular or exact sort we need a specific type of pen to sign the diplomas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in explicit

so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning specific instructions regarding the interrogation of prisoners

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

specific

2 of 2

noun

as in fact

a single piece of information although the speech was long on rhetoric and platitudinous generalities, it lacked specifics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in characteristic

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind the two submissions differ only in certain specifics

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in drug

a substance or preparation used to treat disease quinine is a specific for malaria

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective specific differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of specific are especial, individual, particular, and special. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to specific?

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

a matter of especial importance

When can individual be used instead of specific?

While the synonyms individual and specific are close in meaning, individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

When could particular be used to replace specific?

The synonyms particular and specific are sometimes interchangeable, but particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

When is it sensible to use special instead of specific?

In some situations, the words special and specific are roughly equivalent. However, special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

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 specific

Adjective

The research will allow scientists to have both a better understanding of Jaxson’s specific genetic mutation, as well as possible gene therapies that could someday cure that mutation. — Ciara McCarthy 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026 Mortgage decisions draw from federal requirements, agency rules, state and county regulations, loan-program guidelines, borrower documentation, and lender-specific overlays. — Ethan Stone, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Noun

No cast or writer specifics are yet available for the series, which is in early stages, though it‘s said that the series would not fall within The Batman director Matt Reeves’ universe for the character. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 The specifics on how charitable donations will be made through Anthropic’s fund are not clear yet. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for specific

Recent Examples of Synonyms for specific

Adjective

On Tuesday, Elon Musk, the CEO and largest shareholder of both companies, said the electric vehicle maker and the rocket company had formed special committees at the request of shareholders to discuss the idea.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
For the collection, the mill applies a special cleaning process to cotton that removes 80 percent of impurities.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of special

Adjective

Many of them make explicit content and are thus often rejected by mainstream banks.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
The next president may well also have more power to purchase equity stakes; legislation moving through the Senate would give the Pentagon explicit legal authority to do so.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of explicit

Noun

Newborn kangaroos Along with photos of Irwin and Lew, the KC Zoo shared facts about how red kangaroos develop after they are born.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
Tech1’s organizers have, like Snitkovsky, asserted that the timing was adjusted simply to take advantage of the fact that so many expat Israelis would be flying in to vote.

— Daniel Brook, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of fact

Noun

If researchers can reliably take advantage of these characteristics, biological computing could one day be the prime choice in applications where systems need to adapt to unfamiliar conditions in a field far from home.

— Mike McRae October 19, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2026
The challenge is to broaden a brand’s appeal without diluting the characteristics that distinguish it from competitors.

— Yiling Pan, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

Imprisoned since 2004 and serving a life sentence, Buchanan was accused of directing drug sales, extortion, gambling and violence across San Diego County and beyond.

— Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
They were showered with expensive clothes, spa treatments, and drugs, and given weekly allowances ranging from $150 to $200.

— Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of drug

Adjective

The reference point is 1930s Milan, where bold material combinations and precise geometry turned these utilitarian spaces into showpieces.

— Kristen Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 26 Oct. 2026
And the need to blend all the sound together right before the ear canal can make the more complex instrumentation sound more sloppy than precise.

— Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of precise

Adjective

Jacob Rodriguez, Jordyn Brooks, Chris Johnson and Phillips look like definite foundational players, and Robinson is trending in the right direction.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Still, there’s no solid definite word as to who might fill Lin’s vacancy.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of definite

Noun

Understanding exactly how fusion works, in the grittiest detail, is therefore of extreme interest to nuclear-weapons scientists.

— Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The distance can be reported as Ukraine’s claim without adding equipment details that remain uncertain.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of detail

Browse Nearby Words

species

specific

specifically

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Specific.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specific. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of specific

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes