1
as in special
of a particular or exact sort
we need a specific type of pen to sign the diplomas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explicit
so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning
specific instructions regarding the interrogation of prisoners
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in fact
a single piece of information
although the speech was long on rhetoric and platitudinous generalities, it lacked specifics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in characteristic
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind
the two submissions differ only in certain specifics
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in drug
a substance or preparation used to treat disease
quinine is a specific for malaria
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 specific
Rachel Handler, Vulture, 18 May 2026
Unfortunately, those with any type of hantavirus infection must rely on supportive care only since there are no specific treatments available.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
But The Crash gets more complicated once Johnson begins to interview county prosecutor Tim Troup, who unpacks the context and specifics around Shirilla’s behavior, the vehicle’s condition, and how the night actually unfolded.
—Jake King-Schreifels, Time, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for specific
Adjective
Stone began calling out specific people in the audience.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 18 May 2026
Unfortunately, those with any type of hantavirus infection must rely on supportive care only since there are no specific treatments available.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Noun
However, these seemingly gaudy detours end up retrofitted to Jude’s larger point about power structures in modern Europe as well, when the camera eventually pulls back to focus on specifics of the production.
—Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
But The Crash gets more complicated once Johnson begins to interview county prosecutor Tim Troup, who unpacks the context and specifics around Shirilla’s behavior, the vehicle’s condition, and how the night actually unfolded.
—Jake King-Schreifels, Time, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for specific
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specific
Adjective
-
Walking across shiny, immaculately clean floors into the still room, a tour leads visitors to a room with the immense structures the Bakers use to make their special brand of whiskey.—
Emily M. Olson,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
-
The duo has been known to pull out all the stops for their kids’ special days.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
The last episode of the show saw Sweeney’s character, Cassie Howard, in another explicit scene, this time featuring a yellow python.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
18 May 2026
-
Some groups, especially ones that skewed younger or more explicit in their content, declined to share details on the record.—
Kate Lavelle,
Glamour,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
With Balanchine—whose brush with Bradley came after his precocious beginnings with the Ballets Russes but before his immigration to America and eventual founding of New York City Ballet—Footer pushes hard on not much more than the fact that the two choreographers shared dancers and proclivities.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
-
But Imai is both, a fact the Astros must face head-on.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
This compression of the purchase funnel is now the defining characteristic of modern fashion commerce, separating market leaders from those struggling to keep pace.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
-
One of the defining characteristics of Nicole Wise’s first season as the Mater Dei softball coach surfaced again Thursday.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
No antiviral drugs or vaccines currently exist to prevent or reduce symptoms.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
-
Last month, he was arrested in Arkansas and faced multiple charges including speeding and drug possession, according to online jail records.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Cavan Sullivan initiated the attack, finding Nathan Harriel, who delivered a precise cross to Milan Iloski for the finish.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
The material is difficult to work with, requiring careful handling and precise environmental conditions to cure properly.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Meeks said there was a definite measure of satisfaction derived from the project.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
From one set of perspectives, money is said to be a thing that exists in a definite quantity—ideally gold, but now bits on a computer; ensuring that the right amount of money exists is the only way to avoid a host of macro-economic problems.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Vrabel, meanwhile, stumbled though multiple press conferences while trying to both avoid and explain the issue without ever really providing details.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Confirm the details, simplify the schedule, and move on.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Specific.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specific. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
