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
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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
People who live in assisted living facilities are at especial risk for dying from COVID-19.
—
Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2020
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
But researchers have identified a handful of seismic zones around the globe that are storing up especial amounts of stress and are particularly hazardous.
—Aline Reynolds, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2010
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
Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2020
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
But researchers have identified a handful of seismic zones around the globe that are storing up especial amounts of stress and are particularly hazardous.
—Aline Reynolds, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2010
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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When these guys become older, their skills will be even more extraordinary.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Billboard,
27 Feb. 2025
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Between 2019 and 2024, the average age of the fleet rose 2.2 years — an extraordinary increase given the higher retirement rate of aircraft during more than a year of COVID.—
Oliver Wyman,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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With such an innovative and winning way through such familiar fare for her final full-length recording, Flack truly set us up to miss her all the more.—
A.D. Amorosi,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2025
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Decisions made on who to sign or not sign will impact every team’s strategy ahead of the April 24-26 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wis. Throughout March and April, colleges will host pro days, an opportunity for prospects to showcase their skills in a familiar setting.—
RJ Kraft,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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These ratings don't break down precisely when people are tuning in or specific listener demographics.—
Justin Kaufmann,
Axios,
26 Feb. 2025
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Google probably already knows your phone number, email, and even physical address, but this tells the tool what specific information to pluck out of search results.—
Ryan Whitwam,
Ars Technica,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Still, any rating on the Torino scale above a 0 is unusual, which is why the world's space agencies have taken notice.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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The tomb’s location is also very unusual for a king.—
Rosa Rahimi,
CNN,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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No matter the sailing, there are few easier ways to make new traveling friends than a river cruise thanks to their intimate size and small-group excursions and activities.—
Jeri Clausing,
AFAR Media,
26 Feb. 2025
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The company attributed this improved performance to the end of a destocking cycle among its customers and higher demand for sportswear, intimate apparel and sweaters.—
Phisanu Phromchanya,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The show will feature special guests and a musical performance.—
Debbie Day,
EW.com,
26 Feb. 2025
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The special focused on Mal and King Ben (Mitchell Hope)’s nuptials.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Tilda Swinton, 'Michael Clayton' (2008) Swinton and George Clooney make exceptional adversaries in the engrossing legal thriller.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
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The report found the company to be exceptional, with quibbles so minor that explaining them here would require a crash course in the dense lexicon of climate reporting.—
Justin Worland,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But longtime close watchers of Epstein and his legal ordeal made the case in a series of posts on X that such a list may never emerge.—
Chad de Guzman,
TIME,
28 Feb. 2025
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Improvements encompass a new conference center on the north end, elevated seating, closer premium seating, and the new scoreboard.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Especial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especial. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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