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
-
According to the guide, restaurants have to be consistently extraordinary to garner three stars.—
Tulasi Srinivas,
The Conversation,
3 June 2025
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Davidson’s interior journey through grief is as extraordinary as the outer trek — both guide her towards thriving in an uncomfortable landscape.—
Bridget Crocker,
People.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
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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The collective bargaining agreement between MLS and its players stipulates specific bonus payouts for tournaments that MLS players typically compete in, like the U.S. Open Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup.—
Pablo Maurer,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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As for most stateside enthusiasts, there’s one specific contest in the event’s 92 editions that stands above all others—the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, when the Blue Oval prevailed over the Prancing Horse with a podium sweep immortalized in Hollywood’s 2019 blockbuster Ford v Ferrari.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
2 June 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
-
The collective effect of their intimate, first-person narratives is that of a confessional, revealing the psyche of a country going through a traumatic change.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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The rapper recognized the 30th anniversary of his In A Major Way sophomore album and performed a medley of fan-favorite records in the intimate setting.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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But even by such a high standard this triptych is special as a work of art and a piece of history.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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The location is special, as Thicke and Geary made their public debut as a couple there during the Cannes Film Festival 10 years ago in 2015.—
Sabienna Bowman,
People.com,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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The site is exceptional: The North Branch of the Chicago River winds through its full length, offering an opportunity to weave parkland through the development.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
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All of our leathers are carefully selected from the finest tanneries in the world for their exceptional quality and functional capability.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
1 June 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 6 Jun. 2025.
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