✅ Special is the perfect word to describe something that is treated differently because it’s uncommon (a special event) or stands out (Our first apartment was so special).

✅ Particular is the perfect word to describe something that has been singled out from other similar things for attention (We always sit at a particular table in the restaurant); often what is singled out is something otherwise ordinary (That particular lamp is too tall).

✅ Special indicates that a person or thing stands out on their own merits, whereas particular usually implies that a person or thing is just like its peers, and is being picked out for some other reason.

Try using Grammar Coach to write a paragraph about one particular flower in a garden.

✅ Detest and abhor both mean to have a deep dislike, hatred, or horror of something or someone.

✅ Detest also involves disdain (I detest bucket hats), while abhor describes a strong sense of horror and rejection (I abhor lying).

✅ Detest focuses on the sense of hatred, whereas abhor suggests that the thing offends your morals (He detested bullies; She abhorred needless waste).

✅ Inanimate things and concepts can be said to abhor something, meaning that the thing or action is incredibly unlikely, or even impossible (Nature abhors a vacuum).

It’ll be difficult to detest these superb synonyms for abhor!

✅ State and status both refer to a current situation, circumstances, or surroundings (the state of affairs; the status of the rockets).

✅ State is a more general word, though, referring to the general condition of something (The state of diplomatic relations).

✅ Status often has legal or official implications, and is used to describe a complete set of circumstances for the purpose of sharing information (socioeconomic status; marital status).

✅ Status also can reference an update in the progress of someone or something (We were texted updates on the status of our delivery).

Understand the state of your vocabulary with these synonyms for status.