specimen

Synonym Chooser

How is the word specimen distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of specimen are case, example, illustration, instance, and sample. While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

When could case be used to replace specimen?

While in some cases nearly identical to specimen, case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

When would example be a good substitute for specimen?

The words example and specimen can be used in similar contexts, but example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

In what contexts can illustration take the place of specimen?

In some situations, the words illustration and specimen are roughly equivalent. However, illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

When can instance be used instead of specimen?

The meanings of instance and specimen largely overlap; however, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

Where would sample be a reasonable alternative to specimen?

Although the words sample and specimen have much in common, sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

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 specimen Most peonies are sold as bare-root specimens and should be planted when soil temperatures consistently fall below 50 degrees but before the ground freezes. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025 Additional research, examining a broader range of specimens, would be needed to assess how far-reaching the trend of brown-ish, boring mammals was, and when exactly mammals began to gain stripes, spots, patches, and brighter colors. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2025 Among the notable specimens, a Megalodon tooth from North Carolina’s Nutrien Mine shows deep serration marks running diagonally across the root, evidence of a strong bite from another Megalodon. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025 Furthermore, bare-root specimens will establish more quickly since their roots are splayed out when planting and can easily find their way. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for specimen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specimen
Noun
  • This dimension reflects a person’s comfort level with imaginative, hypothetical or fantastical concepts.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Shatner became the oldest person to go into space in 2021 at 90 when he was invited to ride on Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin New Shepard rocket.
    Brie Stimson, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Canada, for example, has announced billions of dollars in retaliatory tariffs.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • In his book Views, for example, he is quoted as saying.
    Roger Huang, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Nash retired from basketball in 2014 but then served as the general manager for the Canadian men's national team and became the coaching consultant with the Golden State Warriors.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The woman told police a man arrived at her residence around 5:30 p.m. that day, provided the correct passcode and collected the cash.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In a small sample size of 64 offensive snaps last year, Okunlola received a 71.4 overall grade, a 73.6 run-blocking grade and a 41.6 pass-blocking grade.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Admittedly from a small sample size — starting just once in the league and introduced in the second half on four other occasions — Rashford has floated in and out of games and is yet to score.
    Mark Carey, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Had the pleasure of traveling, talking, crying, arguing, eating and hanging with this guy all over the globe ...
    Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Had the pleasure of traveling, talking, crying, arguing, eating and hanging with this guy all over the globe on a project called 'Better Late Than Never'.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The former is a crime thriller about a former baseball player (Austin Butler) who gets caught up in New York City’s underworld in the 1990s, while the latter is a romantic fantasy that follows two middle aged people who step through a magical portal into their past lives.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Lego toy for the little ones in your life, plus save on fabric storage bags to keep off-season clothes and bedding organized and dust-free.
    Isabel Garcia, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • On the way, Elliott hits a baby unicorn with his rental SUV, wounding it, and Ridley touches its horn and forms a trippy spiritual connection with the creature.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
  • As an avid animal ally, White used the bright light of her stardom to advocate for creatures great and small.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Financial time horizon refers to how far into the future individuals consider when making financial decisions.
    Shane Enete, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Another grant was focused on how to improve the experience of lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals who are trying to form their families.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Specimen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specimen. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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