1
as in special
of a particular or exact sort
we need a specific type of pen to sign the diplomas
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in drug
a substance or preparation used to treat disease
quinine is a specific for malaria
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2
as in fact
a single piece of information
although the speech was long on rhetoric and platitudinous generalities, it lacked specifics
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in characteristic
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind
the two submissions differ only in certain specifics
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of specific
Laura Hawkins, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2024
This Earth sign is solution-oriented and, therefore, demands a specific plan that can lead to results.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Dec. 2024
The specifics of the more than 60 categories slated to be recognized in this new music award, the voting method, and the selection and voting method for the more than 5,000 voting members have been revealed.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for specific 
Adjective
Sara Prentice, creative director at Garrard, has also noticed a specific interest in sapphires—particularly when customers are seeking out three-stone trilogy rings.
—Laura Hawkins, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2024
This Earth sign is solution-oriented and, therefore, demands a specific plan that can lead to results.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
Cavuto is believed to have been offered a new deal at the channel, though the specifics are not clear.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Dec. 2024
The specifics of the more than 60 categories slated to be recognized in this new music award, the voting method, and the selection and voting method for the more than 5,000 voting members have been revealed.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for specific
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specific
Adjective
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Tiger embraced his son in what was a heartfelt moment, signaling a special time for the two men.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
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David Nikel is a British-Norwegian travel writer based in Norway, covering all things travel with a special focus on cruising and Scandinavia.David Nikel, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Stevenson’s daring riffs on genre classics and surprisingly explicit imagery combine with The First Omen’s unavoidable cultural context to make this IP extension feel entirely singular.Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
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Footage of performances by the Alvin Ailey Dance Company is projected high above the show, but the focus, mainly, is art that doesn’t bear an explicit tie to Ailey himself.Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The Silicon Valley investor has called for major reform at the FDA in the past and argued that the efficacy of drugs should be measured after they have been allowed on market.Sara Dorn, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
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Bar state and local governments from issuing public health guidelines that ban the prescribing of off-label drugs.Haley BeMiller, The Enquirer, 22 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In fact, in the wake of the oil shocks, his main policy proposal was for solar power.Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024
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The personalized license plate requests that are submitted to the state Department of Motor Vehicles in fact come in all sorts of styles of words and quips, despite being limited by the size, shape and color of the metal markers every driver in Connecticut must attach to their vehicle.Staff report, Hartford Courant, 29 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This process cleans the beans and enhances the coffee’s unique characteristics, contributing to its taste, aroma, and body.Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
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German Shepherds are considered to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world because of unique characteristics that distinguish them from all other pups.George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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This sophisticated approach to creative optimization, paired with precise targeting, can dramatically improve campaign performance and viewer engagement.Anirban Datta, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
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Within the scientific community, there have been disagreements about the moon’s precise age for decades; Nimmo and his colleagues are not the first to put forward an older estimate.Denise Chow, NBC News, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Switch to a reference frame whose origin is in a superposition, though, and the massive object can end up in a definite location.Anil Ananthaswamy, WIRED, 29 Dec. 2024
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Since its release in March, the Switch has only gone from strength to strength and Super Mario Odyssey has helped to end the year for the new console on a definite high note.Ollie Barder, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The woman filed charges and plans to pursue civil remedy.Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024
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Therefore, there is a growing interest in exploring other options and natural remedies to combat the common cold.Trang Tran, PharmD, Verywell Health, 16 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Specific.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specific. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.
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