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 outShe was singled out for special treatment.
Examples of single out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That was before Ryan Walker faced five batters and didn’t record a single out.
—
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
Republicans in the House of Representatives singled out the replacement mission, named OCO-2, for cancellation in 2011 as a target for deficit reduction.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2025
Mackenize singles out a Dari-speaking immigrant named Rahim (Elham Ehsas) and his elderly parents as the residents warily pour out of a nearby apartment building, knowing that audiences’ imaginations (and biases) will start to suggest how this character might relate to the bigger picture.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Mexico is taking steps to protect its national footwear industry from foreign competition and influence—and singling out China in the process.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for single out
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Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
Republicans in the House of Representatives singled out the replacement mission, named OCO-2, for cancellation in 2011 as a target for deficit reduction.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2025
Mackenize singles out a Dari-speaking immigrant named Rahim (Elham Ehsas) and his elderly parents as the residents warily pour out of a nearby apartment building, knowing that audiences’ imaginations (and biases) will start to suggest how this character might relate to the bigger picture.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Mexico is taking steps to protect its national footwear industry from foreign competition and influence—and singling out China in the process.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for single out
Cite this Entry
“Single out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/single%20out. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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