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
Fox News repeatedly singled out Epps as a possible government agent in stoking the anger of the crowd, leading public officials such as Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida to publicly cite him.
—
Marianna Sotomayor, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023
Indeed, the shoemaker’s securities filing for a high-profile initial public offering, made public this week, singles out one factor that will drive it forward: Feminism.
—Irina Ivanova, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2023
On the defensive line, Pittman singled out Tyler Batty.
—Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023
Michael Thomas / Getty Images Barra singled out the disruption to the production of its pickups and the Savana Cargo van as especially problematic.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2023
But some brands were singled out for special mention.
—Peter Weber, The Week, 9 Sep. 2023
In particular, performances by Emma Stone (Poor Things) and Carey Mulligan (Maestro) were singled out and immediately dubbed awards contenders.
—Vulture, 8 Sep. 2023
Another of the players Allen singled out after spring practice, Williams looks likely to see major snaps at either boundary.
—Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Aug. 2023
Hawaii wildfire experts have repeatedly singled out better management of nonnative grasses as key to mitigating fire risk.
—Brianna Sacks, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2023
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Marianna Sotomayor, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023
Indeed, the shoemaker’s securities filing for a high-profile initial public offering, made public this week, singles out one factor that will drive it forward: Feminism.
—Irina Ivanova, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2023
On the defensive line, Pittman singled out Tyler Batty.
—Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023
Michael Thomas / Getty Images Barra singled out the disruption to the production of its pickups and the Savana Cargo van as especially problematic.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2023
But some brands were singled out for special mention.
—Peter Weber, The Week, 9 Sep. 2023
In particular, performances by Emma Stone (Poor Things) and Carey Mulligan (Maestro) were singled out and immediately dubbed awards contenders.
—Vulture, 8 Sep. 2023
Another of the players Allen singled out after spring practice, Williams looks likely to see major snaps at either boundary.
—Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Aug. 2023
Hawaii wildfire experts have repeatedly singled out better management of nonnative grasses as key to mitigating fire risk.
—Brianna Sacks, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'single out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Single out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/single%20out. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.
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