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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 That would require a singular effort that doesn’t cave to the preferences of business partners and financers. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 12 Oct. 2025 From there, the process unfolds with boundless possibilities for customization, allowing any Edelweiss model to be transformed into a singular expression of individuality. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2025 There’s this Warp artist Clarissa Connelly whose album was really pretty, kinda weird, and wildly singular, like Metallica but played very slowly with acoustic instruments. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 10 Oct. 2025 Undoubtedly, a broad spectrum of interests here, but that diversity of thought is precisely the characteristic that makes Shamieh’s approach to law so singular. —Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 9 Oct. 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
  • Every chapter has its own life, and this one has been extraordinary.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The extraordinary vote in November was to decide whether Kan, the Israeli public broadcaster and member of the EBU, could participate in the Eurovision 2026.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • This is not unusual, because Mahomes teammates have done that in the past (notably Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and many others).
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Sometimes, Gatlin would also approve invoices from Georgia companies, which would have been unusual given that Jackson Health System and the Foundation usually work with South Florida vendors.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • The performance opened with Hoying singing live, adding a personal touch to the tribute.
    — Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance products.
    — Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Definition of personal
Adjective
  • CEOs and global leaders will gather for a dynamic, invitation-only event shaping the future of business.
    — Olivier Wenden, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Gipson was the only defensive lineman on kick coverage.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • This allowed for more dynamic clashes, aided by compelling, unique animations.
    — Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Yet, the launch of its second Milk Bar collaboration comes at a unique time as the gourmand category is predicted to top holiday sales inside major retailers this year amid burgeoning interest.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • Such alerts are relatively uncommon for Los Angeles.
    — Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The play, by Jordan Ramirez Puckett, follows a mother-son cross-country road trip peppered with the teen’s hip-hop music as a brown son and his white mother seek common ground in their uncommon pasts.
    — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 12 Oct. 2025
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • That, of course, is subjective.
    — Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Maybe the purposefully ambiguous coda was concocted to prove some sort of Rashomon-style truth-is-subjective point.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 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 17 Oct. 2025.

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