especially

adverb

es·​pe·​cial·​ly i-ˈspe-shə-lē How to pronounce especially (audio)
-ˈspesh-lē
Synonyms of especiallynext
1
: specially sense 1
2
a
: in particular : particularly
food seems cheaper, especially meats
b
: for a particular purpose
built especially for research
3
—used as an intensive
an especially good essay
nothing especially radical in the remarks

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of especially in a Sentence

With the help of his staff, [Tim] Russert was especially good at arming himself for an interview by compiling a politician's previous statements in all their contradictions. Google was his tool and Gotcha his game. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 23 June 2008
In 1972, we began nonstop coverage of the Nixon-McGovern presidential campaign. Hunter [S. Thompson] took over my life then—and for many years after that when he was reporting (long nocturnal telephone calls and frequent all-night strategy sessions) and especially when he was writing. He was demanding in his need for time, attention, care, handling and editing. — Jann S. Wenner, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2005
Moreover, Gone with the Wind is peopled with characters whose inconsistencies make them interesting, none more so than Scarlett O'Hara, an unattractive, inexplicably seductive antiheroine whom Trollope himself might well have been pleased to dream up on an especially good day. — Terry Teachout, National Review, 20 Aug. 2001
… I am a tax dweeb. I like thinking about taxes and writing about taxes, and I really like doing my taxes. Especially since do-it-yourself tax software in a box got so great. — Linda Stern, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2000
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There is also a fear that the recent uptick in collaboration between the Mexican and U.S. militaries to share intel could backfire, especially if the U.S. military actually invades Mexico. — Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025 The divide was especially dramatic in Massachusetts, where 94% of immigrants arrested by ICE were apprehended in the community — and 78% had no criminal record. — Jade Walker, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025 Our assessment could be wrong, especially considering factors like future growth concerns and broader market trends affecting the tech sector. — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025 What's especially wild is that it's not priced exclusively for big research labs; regular consumers might actually be able to get their hands on one. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for especially

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of especially was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing especially

Rhymes for especially

See All Rhymes for especially

Browse Nearby Words

especial
especially
especialness
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Cite this Entry

“Especially.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/especially. Accessed 13 Aug. 2025.

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