single out

phrasal verb

singled out; singling out; singles out

: to treat or to speak about (someone or something in a group) in a way that is different from the way one treats or speaks about others

The coach singled out the players who played poorly.

The reviewer singled her performance out for praise/criticism.

—often used as (be) singled out

She was singled out for special treatment.

Examples of single out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But Christians are also allegedly singled out for discrimination and persecution by both sides in the conflict. —Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy singled out California for issuing commercial driver's licenses to what his department says are unqualified immigrant truckers that put lives on the road in danger. —Nilesh Christopher Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025

Some of Cameron's closest collaborators have enthused about the very same qualities that others seem to single out for criticism. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025

Persad-Bissessar said that’s not why Washington singled out two of the five Caribbean countries that offer the golden passports. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025

Rhymes for single out

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout