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as in detachment
a small military unit with a special task or function the officer sent out a detail to patrol the perimeter of the compound

Synonyms & Similar Words

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detail

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun detail contrast with its synonyms?

The words item and particular are common synonyms of detail. While all three words mean "one of the distinct parts of a whole," detail applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process.

leave the details to others

When could item be used to replace detail?

In some situations, the words item and detail are roughly equivalent. However, item applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated.

every item on the list

When might particular be a better fit than detail?

While in some cases nearly identical to detail, particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item.

a description that included few particulars

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 detail
Noun
The stunning dress — complete with ruching detail on the bodice and a sweetheart V-neck — takes Vivian from a duckling to a swan, leaving everyone (including Edward) in awe while on a date at the opera to watch a performance of Verdi's La Traviata. Andrea Wurzburger, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025 This is an irrelevant detail in an irrelevant document. Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
Researchers detailed their work in a study published March 20 in the journal Science. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 Mar. 2025 During the March 20 hearing, prosecutors detailed some of the messages and discussions. Julia Marnin, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for detail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detail
Noun
  • Pulse Picks One item, one innovation has continued to lead a revolution in women’s sports, and on a larger scale, women’s rights: the sports bra.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • If that’s the case, this bag would not be the only Balenciaga item these very wealthy friends have in common.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In fact, sources have told me that the PACCARB has already been disbanded.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • In fact, this year's show won't have any comedic performances at all.
    Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • As the district mulled a split, there was debate over whether state law allows a district to divide — a process called detachment — without taking the proposal to a vote.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Emotional detachment, cynicism, or withdrawal from relationships.
    Amanda Miller Littlejohn, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Across the videos related to job titles, 50 percent of women were depicted as smiling, while no men were, a result which reflects emotional expectations around gender, says Gaeta.
    Reece Rogers, WIRED, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Last summer, it was reported in the UK’s Times newspaper that he was being considered for the manager’s job at leading Portuguese side Porto.
    Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Her father, Eddie Meyers, a Naval Academy graduate, had been stationed there at Camp Pendleton Marine Base.
    Tim Genske, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • This will mark the second time in six months that two carrier strike groups have been stationed in the region—an area that typically sees just one.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The United Kingdom's National Oceanography Centre was testing the sub, which was named Boaty McBoatface in a viral online poll in 2016, when mooring for the camera system got tangled in its propeller, the center said in a statement Monday.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The soccer star, 35, welcomed her second baby, a son named Enzo, with husband Servando Carrasco, sharing the happy news with a joint post on Instagram on Sunday, March 30.
    Hannah Sacks, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • For context, some of the league’s smaller market teams, such as the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, and Oklahoma City Thunder, are based in cities with populations far larger than any of the counties listed above.
    Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Looking at the credits, there’s a lot of studios listed on here, even on some individual tracks, so most of these songs look like they were worked on over a period of time, sometimes with different people and places.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • What Happens Next The Russian military will continue its activities, including exercises and patrols, in the Sea of Japan.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • This year — in which Gov. Hochul has been funding additional overtime for overnight transit cop patrols — has seen a further reduction, with an average of 4.4 major crimes a day for January and February.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detail. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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