SPECIMEN Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

specimen

noun

ˈspes-mən

Definition of specimen

as in example

one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like chose one frog as a good specimen of the breed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in person

a member of the human race he's a particularly handsome specimen

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Forensic entomology technicians also responded to the scene and collected insect specimens, which were submitted to a lab at Kean University in New Jersey for further examination. — Joe Brandt, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 This exhibit displays body parts and specimens crucial to human development and reproduction. — Emma Hall october 3, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026 Hard times for scientific institutions The Academy houses a massive, irreplaceable library of over 19 million specimens. — Andrew Stelzer, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026 The specimens are expected to ultimately be displayed in a museum collection, where they will be preserved and made accessible to the public and to other scientists for further study, the city said. — Tristan Maglunog, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for specimen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for specimen

Noun

One example is basa, also known as swai, a freshwater catfish native to Southeast Asia.

— Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
It will be limited to just 200 examples, half of which will be coupes, while the other half will be open-top spyders.

— Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of example

Noun

Being able to have the in-person connectivity with talking to your coworkers, being able to collaborate, is great and then also the larger programming of the company as a whole.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
One person was killed in a strike on Riyadh airport, a Saudia Airlines plane was reportedly in flames, and hundreds of flights have been canceled.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of person

Noun

An April report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracked nearly 17,000 Shigella samples, which causes Shigellosis, which and can bring on diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, collected between 2011 and 2023.

— Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
But last year, in a covert, high-altitude operation, a small team of Sherpas successfully retrieved DNA samples from his corpse and gave him back his name.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of sample

Noun

Federal prosecutors have accused a Cuban man living as a lawful permanent resident in Cass County of voting illegally.

— Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026
The increase in online sports betting has worsened mental health problems in younger men, leading to more hospital visits as a result.

— Devika Rao, TheWeek, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of man

Noun

Leaning into its history, Kessler has outfitted the hotel with installations that channel the Jurassic period, including life size dinosaur skeletons and fossils, backlit in a range of bright colors, displayed throughout the walls.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
Marco Bello / Reuters Standing outside his father's home in Pensacola, Florida, amid the debris and damage left behind by Isaias, one man recounted how the storm took his stepmother's life and severely injured his father.

— Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of life

Noun

Although a horrifying sea creature sits at the center of the show, this story is about a man desperate to cling to a decaying past, a grieving family and how greed can create monsters.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Starting with a scene that feels real and looks real lets McKeown get away with what is otherwise a silly creature feature, elongated but never past the point of enjoyment.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of creature

Noun

Yuriy Ryzhenkov is that rare individual—a chief executive who has led his firm of 33,700 people during a never-ending war.

— Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
The event was put on in support of Southern California nonprofit Chrysalis, which helps individuals navigate obstacles on their path to meaningful employment.

— Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of individual

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Style

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

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Synonyms of specimen

noun

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