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
With that being said, Kerr spoke out recently and singled out two players with pointed criticism.
—
Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
The former Bishop Miege standout also singled out what transpired before halftime, late in the opening half, when KU embarked on its decisive run.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 7 Dec. 2025
Although the engineers did not single out Sacramento, the city has previously been identified as having the worst traffic death rate in the state.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025
As an awards body, AFI delivers across-the-board recognition for artists both in front of and behind the camera as reflected in the scope of the productions singled out for 2025.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for single out
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Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
The former Bishop Miege standout also singled out what transpired before halftime, late in the opening half, when KU embarked on its decisive run.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 7 Dec. 2025
Although the engineers did not single out Sacramento, the city has previously been identified as having the worst traffic death rate in the state.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025
As an awards body, AFI delivers across-the-board recognition for artists both in front of and behind the camera as reflected in the scope of the productions singled out for 2025.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 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 9 Dec. 2025.
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