1
as in men
a member of the human race
he's a particularly handsome specimen
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2
as in examples
one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like
chose one frog as a good specimen of the breed
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of specimens
Some specimens from this year’s sample will go to research labs to help determine how large the hybrid’s contingent has become.
—
Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 23 Dec. 2024
Still, no one — including Revilla — thinks the digital and synthetic alternatives will fully supplant the need for human specimens anytime soon.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024
Stool specimens were collected for testing.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
Stool specimens were collected for testing and sick passengers and crew members were isolated.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
Researchers got permission to conduct genetic testing on the specimens from the Healy Lake Village Council, which represents the Mendas Cha’ag people.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024
When specimens washed up in 2010 and 2017 on the North Islands, scientists could only undertake minimally invasive sampling—and no dissection—before the whales were buried.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024
Two approaches with a similar conclusion The challenge of studying early hominids is that specimens from that period are scarce and in rough shape.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024
Greenland sharks are slow-growing, less than half an inch per year, but live so long that mature specimens reach more than 19 feet in length.
—Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024
Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 23 Dec. 2024
Still, no one — including Revilla — thinks the digital and synthetic alternatives will fully supplant the need for human specimens anytime soon.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024
Stool specimens were collected for testing.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
Stool specimens were collected for testing and sick passengers and crew members were isolated.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
Researchers got permission to conduct genetic testing on the specimens from the Healy Lake Village Council, which represents the Mendas Cha’ag people.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024
When specimens washed up in 2010 and 2017 on the North Islands, scientists could only undertake minimally invasive sampling—and no dissection—before the whales were buried.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024
Two approaches with a similar conclusion The challenge of studying early hominids is that specimens from that period are scarce and in rough shape.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024
Greenland sharks are slow-growing, less than half an inch per year, but live so long that mature specimens reach more than 19 feet in length.
—Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specimens
Noun
-
Both men will tell us a lot about themselves Sunday.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Something will have to give between two men so seemingly unalike.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Chicago’s soccer teams are prime examples.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
-
In none of these examples do people today, or those of the past, deserve these actions.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Some scientists have even proposed that free radicals can lead to aging in humans and other creatures, though that idea is disputed.—
Carlyn Kranking,
Smithsonian Magazine,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Another research team at MIT used the gills of these creatures, which filter for plankton, to improve commercial water filtration systems.—
Elizabeth Rayne,
Ars Technica,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Outside of the top four guys, Tuttle took a pay cut to stick around, and Crumedy, last year’s sixth-round pick, is continuing to develop.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Those guys are going to be great players.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
At least seven people were killed, authorities said.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
2 June 2025
-
Police responded to the area after receiving reports of a man with weapon setting people on fire.—
Louis Casiano , Bill Melugin,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2025
Noun
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But subtle little things — developments unlikely to make headlines – can also be big winners.—
Dewayne Bevil,
Orlando Sentinel,
28 Dec. 2024
-
The challenge has always been to figure out how to personalize things without spending inordinate amounts of time and money mapping out every possible path a student might take.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Authorities also found a pile of fish heads on the property and Smith admitted to poisoning them, according to court records.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2025
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The famous fish fete tees off a weekend of fundraising and party business as the South Carolina Democratic Party convenes for their state convention.—
Brittany Shepherd,
ABC News,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Specimens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specimens. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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