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
Examples of single-minded in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In a profession with its share of single-minded swaggerers, Koudelka was on another level.
—
Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2024
Lou was very smart and single-minded in not socializing with us.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 30 Mar. 2024
These early peeks into the Fire Nation add depth to Zuko’s fractured family and his single-minded quest to come home.
—Devan Coggan, EW.com, 22 Feb. 2024
Where Bruce’s Batman is somber, single-minded, and driven, Dick’s Robin is ebullient, freewheeling, and eager for adventure.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
In their single-minded focus on raising birth rates, its leading proponents misunderstand the nature of the problem and offer solutions that may be counterproductive to their aims.
—Patrick T. Brown, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024
Jones shares how such a single-minded pursuit can consume one’s life, while the film falls in a cycle of repetitive actions.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 21 Jan. 2024
Katz is among the least fickle of artists, and the overall impression at the Guggenheim was one of single-minded, stubborn idealism.
—David Salle, The New York Review of Books, 28 Dec. 2023
In his mind, that single-minded ambition was what landed him in Myanmar.
—Isabelle Qian, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2023
Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2024
Lou was very smart and single-minded in not socializing with us.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 30 Mar. 2024
These early peeks into the Fire Nation add depth to Zuko’s fractured family and his single-minded quest to come home.
—Devan Coggan, EW.com, 22 Feb. 2024
Where Bruce’s Batman is somber, single-minded, and driven, Dick’s Robin is ebullient, freewheeling, and eager for adventure.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
In their single-minded focus on raising birth rates, its leading proponents misunderstand the nature of the problem and offer solutions that may be counterproductive to their aims.
—Patrick T. Brown, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024
Jones shares how such a single-minded pursuit can consume one’s life, while the film falls in a cycle of repetitive actions.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 21 Jan. 2024
Katz is among the least fickle of artists, and the overall impression at the Guggenheim was one of single-minded, stubborn idealism.
—David Salle, The New York Review of Books, 28 Dec. 2023
In his mind, that single-minded ambition was what landed him in Myanmar.
—Isabelle Qian, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'single-minded.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1836, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near single-minded
Cite this Entry
“Single-minded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/single-minded. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
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
More from Merriam-Webster on single-minded
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share