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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 Groff frequently breaks the fourth wall to address the audience with his own personal connection to the artist and his singular legacy. Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 22 May 2025 What’s singular abut the film, however, critics’ agree is the knowing detail and emotion brought to the film by Hadi, who grew up in a southern Iraq of the 1990s wracked by food shortages , due to U.S.-drive sanctions. John Hopewell, Variety, 22 May 2025 With his singular flair for the awkward, Fielder makes the exit as excruciating as possible. Scott Tobias, Vulture, 19 May 2025 The banners hanging atop the arena are mostly honoring singular talents, including NBA Hall of Famers Jason Kidd and Vince Carter. Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for singular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for singular
Adjective
  • Despite these challenges, U.S. nonprofits do extraordinary things.
    Kendra Davenport, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • But what goes unmentioned—what stands in opposition to the siblings’ code of self-optimization and principled bodysurfing—is that their father’s success grew from the soil of an extraordinary season of public investment.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • In an unusual step earlier this month, five former directors of the National Weather Service signed an open letter warning that the Trump administration’s cuts to the weather service and its parent agency NOAA may endanger lives.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025
  • Listen to this article The Rent Guidelines Board lowered the range of potential rent increases for some 2 million New Yorkers in an unusual redo vote Tuesday — a move that comes as the issue of freezing rents has taken center stage in the contentious mayoral race.
    Téa Kvetenadze, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Also covers personal liability, personal belongings, dwelling and other structures and loss of use Does not cover Flood insurance, water damage and mold that has built up slowly over time, high-value personal items Terms apply.
    Liz Knueven, CNBC, 24 May 2025
  • Also, having everything taken away in my own personal life.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • These cancellations aren’t the only signs that something is awry in the festival scene.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
  • Another night, the stage will feature only performers of color.
    Geoff Mulvihill, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
Adjective
  • This is not unique to Arizona, Famiglietti said, with similar signs of disappearing groundwater happening in the agriculture-heavy Central Valley in California.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
  • But that physical training couldn’t prepare him for the unique psychological experience of reaching the top of the world--and then returning safely.
    Mark Joyella, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Acqui-hires are not uncommon in a competitive tech hiring environment.
    Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • This is why Daigneault refers to the Thunder as an uncommon group.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Taste is subjective, and USA TODAY Books has plenty of genres to recommend.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • But in real life—especially in business—the players change, the rules mutate, and the payoffs are subjective.
    Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
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

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Cite this Entry

“Singular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/singular. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on singular

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