DETAIL Synonyms: 182 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

detail 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈtāl

Definition of detail next

as in item

a separate part in a list, account, or series every detail was accounted for

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fact

a single piece of information didn't leave out a single detail in his police report on the burglary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in job

a specific task with which a person or group is charged the soldier was placed on guard detail at the border crossing

Synonyms & Similar Words

detail

2 of 2

verb

as in to station

to assign to a place or position once again he was detailed to guard duty

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to name

to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty the new assistant was detailed to accompany the boss on the business trip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to list

to specify one after another detailed all of the reasons that the plan was a bad idea

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

generalize

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

But a veteran prosecutor stepped up out of concern for the jobs of the younger people in the unit, said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details of the private meeting. —

Michael R. Sisak, Larry Neumeister, Alanna Durkin Richer and Eric Tucker The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025 The Senate on Friday released details of the plan (SPB 7002), which will be spearheaded by Sen. Jason Brodeur, a Sanford Republican who is a top lieutenant of Senate President Ben Albritton. —

Jim Saunders, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025

Verb

The book details how the rancher must patrol his property with an AK-47 daily to guard against drug runners. —

José Ignacio Castañeda Perez, The Arizona Republic, 15 Feb. 2025 The probable cause affidavit also details how the fast work of an anonymous tipster, school offiicials and several law enforcement agencies may have thwarted a mass tragedy. —

Lex Harvey, Holly Yan and Rebekah Riess, CNN, 14 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for detail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detail

Noun

Only meet when a decision needs to be made or when it can be concluded with clear action items.

— Lieke ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Yang said that nearly 40% of the menu’s dishes are new, with items like Taiwanese popcorn chicken, representative of the years Ming-Tsai and Andrew lived in Taiwan.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025