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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective particular differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of particular are especial, individual, special, and specific. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to particular?

While the synonyms especial and particular are close in meaning, especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

When is individual a more appropriate choice than particular?

The words individual and particular can be used in similar contexts, but individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

When is it sensible to use special instead of particular?

Although the words special and particular have much in common, special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

When would specific be a good substitute for particular?

In some situations, the words specific and particular are roughly equivalent. However, specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

Examples 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 particular
Adjective
This isn’t the first country music awards show where Pearce has gone for one particular color palette. Julia Teti, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024 His behavior reflects a reality that many Christian women have experienced, Black women in particular. Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
The traditional way of doing things—evaluating predictive models only in terms of technical metrics, such as precision, recall and accuracy—is abstract, involving no particulars about how the business is meant to use the model. Eric Siegel, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 The particulars of her speech were less memorable than the mood in the arena. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for particular 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for particular
Adjective
  • The Panthers defense should provide a nice opportunity for a big game.
    Andy Scholes, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Build your authority on LinkedIn: strategies from leading coaches Share client transformations with meaning Stories are nice, but including client wins inspires action.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Rule 2: Modulate your own expectations, too Setting personal boundaries about budget and how many people to buy for can help gift-givers avoid stretching themselves too thin.
    Melinda Fakuade, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024
  • While an overall heaviness weighs 1883 down, there’s a level of personal feeling here that compensates, as Sheridan concocts an American origin story filled with the intentional messiness and ambiguity that has always been his hallmark.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • But at highly selective private colleges like those in the Ivy League for example, students from the bottom 20% of the income distribution have consistently made up only about 5% of the student bodies at these institutions across the last century.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
  • While the most elite schools are still highly selective, the general trend among U.S. colleges recently has been rising acceptance rates, according to a September study from the American Enterprise Institute.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Once all of these measurements were combined, the researchers were able to create a detailed, global map of free electrons in the ionosphere.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024
  • However, that came to a crashing halt last week when a relative came forward and detailed years of molestation in the 1990s, including after Torres turned 18 and the victim was underage.
    Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The McRib was introduced in 1981, but rather than becoming a permanent menu item, it has been made available only in limited runs over the last four decades.
    Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Chili's menu also features a new secret item this season, Honey Chipotle Mozz, perfect for pairing with Chili's Triple Dipper or Fried Mozzarella appetizer.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Perhaps surprising to some people, Parker in fact has a European background.
    Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Despite rumors that Spotify Wrapped only collects data from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31., the platform recently confirmed that the round-up does, in fact, track listening data past Halloween.
    Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • These things make Istanbul a great place to get high-quality hair transplants at low prices, but patients need to be careful to avoid secret risks.
    Ethan Stone, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Making these breads takes over 72 hours of slow and careful workmanship.
    Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Comedian, by selling first for $120,000 in 2019 and now selling to crypto entrepreneurs Justin Sun, agrees with this subjective theory of value, highlighting the sometimes arbitrary nature of art pricing.
    Natalie Stoclet, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • More subjective measures point to a Trump bump as well.
    Sarah Bedford, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near particular

Cite this Entry

“Particular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/particular. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on particular

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