single-minded

adjective

sin·​gle-mind·​ed ˌsiŋ-gəl-ˈmīn-dəd 

ˈsiŋ-gəl-ˌmīn-

: having one driving purpose or resolve : determined, dedicated

single-mindedly adverb

single-mindedness noun

Synonyms

• bent (on or upon)
• bound
• decisive
• determined
• do-or-die
• firm
• hell-bent (on or upon)
• intent
• out
• purposeful
• resolute
• resolved
• set

Examples of single-minded in a Sentence

every successful reform movement has been spearheaded by a single-minded activist who refused to accept defeat

Recent Examples on the Web

For decades now, the most ardent critics of the weight-loss industry and of its associated doctors have been saying something similar: Healthy behaviors can and should be decoupled from the single-minded goal of making people smaller. —Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024

That single-minded devotion also risks blinding her to the needs of her estranged daughter (Billie Lourd) or those of a struggling castmate (Kiernan Shipka). —Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2024

Musk’s single-minded approach won’t be good for the government, said Hamed Qahri-Saremi, a social media researcher at Colorado State University. —Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024

But his obituaries were single-minded about his achievements. —Chris Nashawaty, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

single-minded

adjective

sin·​gle-mind·​ed

-ˈmīn-dəd

: having only one purpose : determined

a single-minded devotion to stopping crime

single-mindedly adverb