1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
a candidate who handled the stunning defeat with especial grace
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in familiar
closely acquainted
he told his especial friends about the job offer but kept everyone else in the dark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in specific
of a particular or exact sort
with a very ordinary lawn, we don't have any especial need for a gardener
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of especial
The city has an especial affinity for literature.
—
Leah Asmelash, CNN, 2 Mar. 2022
Delivery is important in any form of storytelling, and in observational comedy cadence is the especial engine of wit.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2023
This project had drawn his attention to Pine Island Bay as a coastal area where the outer edge of glaciers might calve or break apart into icebergs with especial rapidity.
—Marissa Grunes, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2023
Years later, a place detective, who has suffered her own loss, travels to the village to reopen the case and develops an especial bond with the missing boy’s mother, who has never given up hope that Briel could still be alive.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 11 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for especial
Leah Asmelash, CNN, 2 Mar. 2022
Delivery is important in any form of storytelling, and in observational comedy cadence is the especial engine of wit.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2023
This project had drawn his attention to Pine Island Bay as a coastal area where the outer edge of glaciers might calve or break apart into icebergs with especial rapidity.
—Marissa Grunes, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2023
Years later, a place detective, who has suffered her own loss, travels to the village to reopen the case and develops an especial bond with the missing boy’s mother, who has never given up hope that Briel could still be alive.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 11 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for especial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for especial
Adjective
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But what goes unmentioned—what stands in opposition to the siblings’ code of self-optimization and principled bodysurfing—is that their father’s success grew from the soil of an extraordinary season of public investment.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
22 May 2025
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Despite these challenges, U.S. nonprofits do extraordinary things.—
Kendra Davenport,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The latter star has landed a number of hits throughout the past few years by repurposing melodies and interpolating hooks from older, familiar smashes by other artists, reworking them into something exciting and new for a different audience.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Where Charlotte’s immigrant community goes for familiar flavors.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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But more commonly it's used to refer to the specific specialized planes — currently Boeing 747-200B models — outfitted with state-of-the-art communications and defense systems, along with lots of other (often highly classified) features.—
Kat Lonsdorf,
NPR,
21 May 2025
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The lakes’ specific shade of blue can be attributed to their glaciers; there are 300-plus here, more than anywhere else in the U.S. outside of Alaska.—
Chloe Arrojado,
AFAR Media,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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But the boys also casually tell stories about the deprivations of their previous life, a reminder of how unusual their childhoods have been by American standards.—
Sacha Pfeiffer,
NPR,
27 May 2025
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While the timing off the surgery was a bit unusual, Tremble’s importance to the lineup — and the quick turnaround for rehabilitation — made the decision palatable to the organization.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Her testimony offered the jury context about how abuse can form and continue in intimate partner relationships, for jurors to compare the information to the circumstances being presented to them.—
Elizabeth Rosner,
People.com,
21 May 2025
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Caltech's intimate size and intense focus on scientific research and engineering create exceptional outcomes for graduates, particularly those entering technology and research sectors. 10.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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Monday is when scheduled events at the cemetery include a concert by the United States Marine Band and the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a parade of colors by Veterans’ organizations and remarks from special guests.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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So when most kids were enrolling in third grade, Alisa was enrolled in community college, as a special student, in spring 2023.—
Wendy Grossman Kantor,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The companies that invest in neurodiversity today are unlocking game-changing innovation, future-proofing their organizations and setting a new standard for what an exceptional workplace looks like.—
Ben Semmes,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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The engine of Czech youngster Mathias Vacek has been exceptional — almost single-handedly gifting Pedersen the win on stage five by bridging several gaps before performing a perfect leadout.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Among the close friends and family celebrating were Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
24 May 2025
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After the close, discount retailer Miniso Group (9896 HK, MSO US) missed Q1 estimates while online travel agency Tongcheng (780 HK) beat analyst expectations for Q1.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Especial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especial. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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