especially

adverb

i-ˈspe-shə-lē How to pronounce especially (audio)
Definition of especiallynext
1
as in particularly
in the specific case of one person or thing as distinguished from others all employees, but especially the administrative assistants, will need to learn to use the new phone system

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in extremely
to a great degree that university is especially strong in the sciences

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in notably
in regard to something mentioned explicitly or in detail he especially minded the proposed changes to the work schedule

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 especially The fact that vertical content, especially microdramas, remains on the rise was something that echoed throughout the Iberseries halls all week. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026 That is especially true if the emerging world is factored in. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026 By evening, Mars trines Neptune in your private 12th House, making quiet especially restorative. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Oct. 2026 Joe Raedle | Getty Images Friday’s weaker-than-expected jobs report may feel especially lousy for men. — Alex Harring,deena Zaidi, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for especially
Recent Examples of Synonyms for especially
  1. particularly
  2. extremely
  3. notably
  4. specifically
  5. very
  6. too
  7. terribly
  8. incredibly
Adverb
  • The aircraft is particularly suited to Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), maritime surveillance, anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • That distinction matters, particularly when counseling families facing a devastating diagnosis.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of particularly
Adverb
  • Eco effort D’Inghilterra’s sustainability efforts stand out at Café Romano where the ingredients are local and extremely fresh—the chef likely selected the veggies in your salad from the market that morning.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Arrests near schools or colleges have increased, though enforcement actions on campuses are extremely uncommon.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of extremely
Adverb
  • But notably, all of his stops this week and early next week are in reliably red states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Nebraska.
    — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
  • And, most notably, the Royals have reassigned lead hitting instructor Alec Zumwalt back to the minor leagues.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of notably
Adverb
  • Only the sixth turns it into an attachment bond specifically.
    — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
  • While the field-goal unit has mostly thrived, Evans has struggled with consistency, specifically directional placement of his kicks.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of specifically
Adverb
  • The hotel is very grown up, and therefore not exactly relaxing with very young kids (or, at least, not with my kid)—although children are not discouraged.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Thirteen are rated at very high risk or in default, and 23 have no rating from the big agencies, which cuts them from international bond markets.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of very
Adverb
  • Jaguar’s customers were also aging, and its competition—previously BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Audi, and the like—were going electric, too.
    — Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But even with 22 tracks to work with, the sound too often defaults to a similar muted backdrop, which blurs some of the less distinct songs together.
    — Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of too
Adverb
  • Susanna Moore is terribly important to us, more so than any of Hemingway’s gallant girls.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The Nazis employed the V-2 heavily during this time, but the rocket was not terribly accurate.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of terribly
Adverb
  • The rooms are incredibly cozy, with gas fireplaces, a pull-out couch, and framed images of different landmarks around the Presidio.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • His incredibly sharp eye for talent coupled with strong instincts and deep relationships are a dynamic combination for artist management.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of incredibly

Browse Nearby Words

especial
especially
espial
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Cite this Entry

“Especially.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especially. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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