PARTICULAR Synonyms: 237 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'particular' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of particular are especial , individual , special , and specific . While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual. // a ballet step of particular difficulty

Q: Where would 'especial' be a reasonable alternative to 'particular'?

While the synonyms especial and particular are close in meaning, especial may add implications of preeminence or preference. // a matter of especial importance

Q: When is 'individual' a more appropriate choice than 'particular'?

The words individual and particular can be used in similar contexts, but individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group. // valued each individual opinion

Q: When is it sensible to use 'special' instead of 'particular'?

Although the words special and particular have much in common, special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own. // special ingredients

Q: When would 'specific' be a good substitute for 'particular'?

In some situations, the words specific and particular are roughly equivalent. However, specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species. // children with specific nutritional needs

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adjective

pər-ˈti-kyə-lər

Definition of particular next

as in nice

hard to please she's very particular about the cleanliness of her car

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in personal

of, relating to, or belonging to a single person that particular mug is Mike's

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in selective

tending to select carefully he's particular about the corn he buys

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in detailed

including many small descriptive features a very particular account of the breakdown of their marriage from the husband's perspective

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

particular

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noun

as in item

a separate part in a list, account, or series requested a bill of particulars for the care he received in the hospital

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fact

a single piece of information everyone wanted to know all the particulars about the forthcoming merger

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective particular differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of particular are especial, individual, special, and specific. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to particular?

While the synonyms especial and particular are close in meaning, especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

When is individual a more appropriate choice than particular?

The words individual and particular can be used in similar contexts, but individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

When is it sensible to use special instead of particular?

Although the words special and particular have much in common, special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

When would specific be a good substitute for particular?

In some situations, the words specific and particular are roughly equivalent. However, specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

Examples 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 particular

Adjective

Taken a shine to a particular decor item in your room, and fancy a visit to the local artisan’s studios where it was made? —

Liam Hess, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024 The skin loses some of that ability with age, however, leaving older adults at particular risk of vitamin D deficiency—a situation compounded by the fact that many seniors don't spend lots of time outside and may not eat many foods containing vitamin D, Mason says. —

Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024

Noun

Not a god, not more particular than all particulars, but I get lost in simple repetitions and forget to speak with my whole heart. —

Laura Kolbe, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024 When working through ethical dilemmas, girls, Gilligan found, were inclined to consider the particulars of relationships alongside big moral ideals and virtues. —

Elissa Strauss, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for particular

Recent Examples of Synonyms for particular

Adjective

Two hundred of her closest family and friends made it on the nice list and were invited to her winter celebration.

Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024
The result improved on the efficiency of previous packings, while making use of a novel approach: Rather than packing spheres in a nice, organized way, as Viazovska had done, the mathematicians used graph theory to pack spheres in a very disorderly fashion.

Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024