singular

adjective

ˈsiŋ-gyə-lər How to pronounce singular (audio)
Definition of singularnext
1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary the novelist's singular command of the language makes her a compelling voice in contemporary fiction

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unusual
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced appearing on the game show has been the most singular experience of my life

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3
as in personal
of, relating to, or belonging to a single person preserving our national heritage is not a singular responsibility but our collective duty

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4
as in only
being the one or ones of a class with no other members this crime was a singular case, and using it as a reason for revising the criminal code would be ill-advised

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word singular distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of singular are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

In what contexts can eccentric take the place of singular?

While in some cases nearly identical to singular, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When could erratic be used to replace singular?

The words erratic and singular are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When might odd be a better fit than singular?

The meanings of odd and singular largely overlap; however, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When is outlandish a more appropriate choice than singular?

Although the words outlandish and singular have much in common, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

Where would peculiar be a reasonable alternative to singular?

While the synonyms peculiar and singular are close in meaning, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When is it sensible to use quaint instead of singular?

The synonyms quaint and singular are sometimes interchangeable, but quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When would strange be a good substitute for singular?

The words strange and singular can be used in similar contexts, but strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When can unique be used instead of singular?

In some situations, the words unique and singular are roughly equivalent. However, unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

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 singular The film, which Victor wrote, stars in, and marks their directorial debut, heralds the arrival of a singular voice. —Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025 All these lives, once singular, reincorporated through time into a single consolidated mass. —Anelise Chen june 3, Literary Hub, 3 June 2025 Reuters couldn’t determine any singular reason the partnership on SmartCockpit ended. —Nora Eckert, USA Today, 29 May 2025 The book is brilliant, singular, and profoundly strange. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for singular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for singular
  1. extraordinary
  2. unusual
  3. personal
  4. only
  5. unique
  6. uncommon
  7. subjective
  8. one
Adjective
  • That’s either extreme confidence or extraordinary stupidity, or some combination.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2025
  • Quite simply, the earlier investors participate in this extraordinary country’s transformation, the greater the rewards will be.
    — Djasur Djumaev, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • The head of the Democratic Party of Puerto Rico is endorsing Andrew Cuomo for mayor of New York City, marking an unusual foray into Big Apple politics for the organization, which typically only focuses on issues local to the island.
    — Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025
  • The unusual incident was documented on a Reddit page dedicated to all things Walmart.
    — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2025
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • The deceptive advertisement asks for personal information, including your full name, license plate number, and the last five digits of the vehicle registration number.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • Medora Lee is a money, markets, and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY.
    — Medora Lee, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Definition of personal
Adjective
  • Madonna is far from the only celebrity to have been spotted with purses by Aupen — Taylor Swift was notably spotted on a date with Travis Kelce in October 2023 wearing the brand's Nirvana bag in black.
    — Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 14 June 2025
  • Yet despite the ongoing negotiations, the only trade framework the U.S. has reached is with the U.K., along with a tariff truce with China.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 June 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • His unparalleled talent and unique spirit created the soundtrack of so many lives around the globe, including our own.
    — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 12 June 2025
  • Astrid stands out as a positive representation of a confident and smart young woman who doesn’t rely on her beauty, but rather her instincts and her unique skill set.
    — Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 12 June 2025
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • Disagreeing with your boss is not uncommon, but there are ways to make your criticism stick without involving others—in this case, the American public.
    — Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Michael Goldfarb, an employment attorney and CEO of Guardian HR, told Newsweek that the scenario described in the Reddit post is not uncommon.
    — Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • However, a driver is not legally obligated to submit to a field sobriety test, pre-arrest test or cheek swab at a DUI checkpoint, according to the Law Offices of Grech and Parker in Riverside. Field sobriety tests are subjective and may not accurately measure sobriety, according to Bee archives.
    — Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
  • Today, the Michelin Guide has become a vaunted yet controversial subjective yardstick by which restaurants are measured.
    — Tulasi Srinivas, The Conversation, 3 June 2025
Definition of subjective
Adjective
  • Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.
    — SI.com, SI.com, 3 Aug. 2019
  • Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.
    — Johannes Himmelreich, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2018
Definition of one

Browse Nearby Words

sings (out)
singular
singularities
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Cite this Entry

“Singular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/singular. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

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