INDIVIDUAL Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of individual are especial , particular , special , and specific . While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group. // valued each individual opinion

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

The words especial and individual can be used in similar contexts, but especial may add implications of preeminence or preference. // a matter of especial importance

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

The words particular and individual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual. // a ballet step of particular difficulty

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

The synonyms special and individual are sometimes interchangeable, but special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own. // special ingredients

Q: When could 'specific' be used to replace 'individual'?

While in some cases nearly identical to individual , specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species. // children with specific nutritional needs

individual 1 of 2

noun

Definition of individual next

as in person

a member of the human race every individual has value

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in entity

one that has a real and independent existence our general concept of what constitutes a chair is based on our experience with many individuals that were called chairs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nonentity

individual

2 of 2

adjective

ˌin-də-ˈvi-jə-wəl

as in personal

of, relating to, or belonging to a single person everyone has his or her own individual opinion about the subject, but you will have to work together

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in different

not the same or shared guest rooms at the inn have individual bathrooms

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in distinct

serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group he's got a highly individual laugh that I would know anywhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective individual differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of individual are especial, particular, special, and specific. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to individual?

The words especial and individual can be used in similar contexts, but especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

When would particular be a good substitute for individual?

The words particular and individual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

When is special a more appropriate choice than individual?

The synonyms special and individual are sometimes interchangeable, but special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

When could specific be used to replace individual?

While in some cases nearly identical to individual, 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 individual

Noun

The remains date back about 45,000 years, and the DNA suggests two of the six individuals were a mother and daughter. —

Evan Bush, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024 This discovery sheds light on the lives—and deaths—of at least 28 enslaved individuals who lived and labored on the Tennessee estate. —

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Adjective

According to Gracenote, 93% of Major League Baseball games in the 2024 season were spread across regional sports networks, local channels, streaming services and new broadband outlets backed by individual sports leagues. —

Brian Steinberg, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024 And the three of us [Whoopi, Robin and myself] would deliver the checks to these individual shelters all across the country. —

Gillian Telling, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for individual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for individual

Noun

The person dressed as Santa Claus was then pulled into the building through the 6th-floor window.

Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
For those unable to attend in person, Sundance is expanding access by offering a selection of films online from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2.

Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 11 Dec. 2024