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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 But Gill’s singular addition to this familiar format of the musical documentary is including the testimony of a fan: an ordinary man, Matthew Temitope Solomon, who also grew up in Surulere. Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 17 June 2025 Today, Schwartz’s work lives on in the archives of Smithsonian Folkways, where curators and listeners alike continue to rediscover his singular contributions to audio culture. Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 June 2025 Bassist Jason Newsted is a vigorous presence, Kirk Hammett’s guitar solos remain creative and thoughtful, and Lars Ulrich remains a singular drummer. Joe Gross, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2025 This heavy dependency on a singular product rendered the company extremely vulnerable to demand fluctuations, especially as the pandemic shifted into an endemic stage. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for singular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for singular
Adjective
  • This extraordinary high-altitude migration highlights the their unique physiological adaptations, offering valuable insight into how animals can evolve to overcome extreme environmental challenges.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
  • But Madigan’s extraordinary four days of testimony, in the end, weren’t enough.
    Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
Adjective
  • Now, another unusual way to grab hiring managers attention is going viral: Sneaking your resume into a box of donuts.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 20 June 2025
  • Three corners of the brownie remained in tact, but the missing chunk from the center has left the brownie looking pretty unusual, sparking plenty of amused comments from viewers.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • As a Dane yourself, are you reminded of your own personal collection with the brand?
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 17 June 2025
  • On Tuesday, Richardson-Lowry stressed that none of those records contained personal information.
    Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
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
  • The only two golfers to shoot 67 or better — Spaun and Thriston Lawrence — putted out of their minds, both ranking top four in the field in strokes gained on the green.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Bo's Bird Dogs are actually chicken tenders dressed up like a dog, giving it a unique Carolina twist.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
  • The mayoral primary’s two leading candidates — one a fresh-faced progressive and the other an older moderate — could be stand-ins for the larger Democratic Party’s ideological divide, though Cuomo’s scandal-scarred past adds a unique tinge to the narrative.
    Anthony Izaguirre, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Every great American story is sentimental in the same way: instincts born out of struggle, the triumph of the schoolyard over the classroom, uncommon creativity driven by necessity.
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
  • That’s not an uncommon sight for K-pop superstars, as their massive followings understand how the charts work and focus their energy on pushing a title as high as possible in its first frame.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Tools And Frameworks Help Spot Potential Accurately Unlike performance, which is usually measured with data, potential can feel subjective.
    Melanie Hughes, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • There’s a risk of indecency, certainly, but the boundary is subjective, and Bayern smashing 10 past Auckland was merely them completing a full day’s work.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 June 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 28 Jun. 2025.

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