Even now, many years after the Cold War, there is still much rancor between the Russians and the Germans, especially in areas once occupied by the Soviet Union.
Source: tatoeba (1968)
Especially
/ɪˈspɛʃ.(ə.)li/
Synonyms for "especially" (84 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (17)
Adverb(3 words)
a fortioriabove allall the morechieflyconcretelyconspicuouslycustomdefinitelydistinctivelydistinctlydominantlyeminently
Adverb(1 words)
above all
Noun(1 words)
Strong matches (25)
evenever soexactlyexceedinglyexceptionallyexpresslyextraextraordinarilyfirstfirst of allfirstlyfor the most partin chiefin detailin particularin the mainindeeditem by itemmainlymarkedly
Show 2 more words
minutelymore than ever
Noun(1 words)
even results
Adjective(1 words)
Adverb(1 words)
in particular
Related words (42)
Determiner(1 words)
most parsing
mostlynamelynever sono endnotablynoticeablyoutstandinglyparticularparticularlypeculiarlypreciselypredominantlypreeminentlyprimarilyprincipallypurposeremarkablyseparatelysignallysingly
Show 12 more words
singularlyspecialspeciallyspecificallystill morestrikinglysupremelyto be specificuncommonlyuniquelyunusuallyyea
Adverb(7 words)
Adjective(1 words)
particular case
Adverb(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: particularly, a fortiori, above all, above all, above all.
- Sentence evidence is available for especially, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, wiktionary, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "especially".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "especially"
Keep "especially" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "especially" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "especially", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "especially" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
3 entriesMore specific
3 entriesCollocations
6 entriesespecially during examsespecially for beginnersespecially importantespecially in mathespecially in scienceespecially when studying
Inflections
2 entriesmore especiallymost especially
Sample sentences
17 total sentences available.
In foreign countries, especially in Western countries, students are encouraged to express and develop themselves as individuals.
Source: tatoeba (21959)
We all pigged out at the company Christmas party, especially on the roast beef.
Source: tatoeba (22414)
Especially remarkable was her oval face.
Source: tatoeba (36892)
Showing 4 of 17 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "especially"?
Closest matches include particularly, a fortiori, above all, above all, above all.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "especially"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.