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
By singling out humans as a primary cause of climate change, Francis was making a radical shift in the Vatican’s stance on the environment.
—
Omar G. Encarnación, Time, 22 Apr. 2025
Four Democrats on the House Administration Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Smithsonian Institution, wrote to Vance expressing concerns about Trump’s executive order and his singling out Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
—Deborah Barfield Berry, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration has singled out Ivy League universities including Columbia and Harvard for broad federal funding cuts.
—Rae Ellen Bichell and Rachana Pradhan, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
The Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a yearlong screening series singling out its winners.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for single out
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Omar G. Encarnación, Time, 22 Apr. 2025
Four Democrats on the House Administration Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Smithsonian Institution, wrote to Vance expressing concerns about Trump’s executive order and his singling out Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
—Deborah Barfield Berry, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration has singled out Ivy League universities including Columbia and Harvard for broad federal funding cuts.
—Rae Ellen Bichell and Rachana Pradhan, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
The Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a yearlong screening series singling out its winners.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 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 3 May. 2025.
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