Definition of itemnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun item contrast with its synonyms?

The words detail and particular are common synonyms of item. While all three words mean "one of the distinct parts of a whole," 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 detail be a better fit than item?

The synonyms detail and item are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 would particular be a good substitute for item?

Although the words particular and item have much in common, 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 item Maintain a safe distance from water, wet items, and metal objects. Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026 Its force-control technology enables careful handling of both heavy and delicate items, reducing the risk of damage during transport. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026 But some of the items in a Neanderthal’s toolkit seem surprising and unusual to us now because of how the world has changed. ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026 But among the regular assortment of items that would burst the seams of your bank account or your apartment’s square footage, this year’s design week featured all sorts of small, excellent objects, and many of them were even affordable. Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for item
Recent Examples of Synonyms for item
Noun
  • Perkins coaches his son’s YPG Perkins team, and things were getting chippy against their opponent, Swaveway Playaz.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2026
  • Go out there and play defense, and then good things happen.
    Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Apart from lowering the prices for cocktails, some more accessible information about the artworks would be handy.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • People overhear the worst possible information at the worst possible moment.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • Kilian, Winn and Erik Miller all boast above-average stuff, according to FanGraphs’ Stuff+ model.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 May 2026
  • So for people who want to go and catch the rodeo, there’s some cool stuff happening there.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • Possibly, details about your most intimate and personal life are on public display.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
  • Atmos did not provide any further details on the construction crew.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Get the latest news, results and behind-the-scenes info from the 2026 World Cup with USA TODAY's Extra Time newsletter.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 1 June 2026
  • That means ranching is a big part of our economy, but when an animal goes missing the process of reporting that info used to be a little outdated.
    Michael Abeyta, CBS News, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • More significant than what happens to be in the canon (for any book list differs in the particulars) is the idea of a canon in the first place.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
  • Officials have chosen not to release particulars of the shooter’s movement through the school, surveillance video of the attack, records made by the shooter, some crime scene photos and records from juvenile victims’ phones, the agency wrote in a February letter.
    Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
    Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 30 May 2026
  • This two-story house has three bedrooms and four bathrooms.
    Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • But the Thunder stormed back to briefly take the lead just before halftime behind reigning two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander’s 13 points in the second quarter.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 31 May 2026
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points and nine assists, but for the eighth consecutive season the NBA will have a new champion.
    Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Item.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/item. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on item

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster