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 Experts caution, as the Oracle announcement illustrates, that investors should tread carefully, as with any new asset class and especially one often associated with institutional buyers. — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026 Sachdeva said the secondhand numbers are especially worth watching. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 The first bit of growth might be especially strange-looking, says Sutcliffe. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 9 Oct. 2026 Localized higher amounts up to 10 inches are possible, especially across the Southern Appalachians and coastal Carolinas. — Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 9 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
  • We were also impressed by the versatile food options—particularly the Cantonese cuisine and excellent afternoon tea.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Making short-haul rail more competitive Parallel argues that its system could open routes that are currently difficult for conventional rail services to serve economically, particularly journeys under 500 miles.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of particularly
Adverb
  • Experts attribute the extremely warm ocean temperatures that fueled Rachel, which peaked as a Category 3 hurricane, in part to El Niño.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • All this makes the Home app very easy to use, but extremely underpowered.
    — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of extremely
Adverb
  • Older residents here repeat a mantra that the country has been through worse, notably when Iraq launched Scud missiles in 1991 during the first Gulf War.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Many countries around the world — notably, England, Egypt, and Norway — have made great strides down that path in recent years.
    — Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of notably
Adverb
  • It is designed specifically to hunt and kill warships, including moving ships in contested environments.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The opponents of Moody and Uthmeier, specifically, are calling for both state and federal investigations and said the appellate court’s opinion won’t change that.
    — Liv Caputo, Miami Herald, 10 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
  • Indeed, the diamond was quite an exquisite addition, considering that such gemstones over 10 carats are incredibly rare.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • For now, this perfect mix of burgeoning youth and senior leadership has come together to create an incredibly deep team with big dreams.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of incredibly

Browse Nearby Words

especial
especially
espial
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Especially.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especially. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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