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 out
She was singled out for special treatment.

Examples of single out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And Clark’s fans, who have often noted the exceptionally high level of physicality directed at Clark and who’ve been aghast at the league office’s reluctance to single out her unique star power, had good reasons to believe that the league was self-sabotaging. Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025 While explaining a few of the intricate details of a two-hour practice session at The Citadel, the Charlotte Hornets coach noted how Brandon Miller singled out a particular newcomer and delivered quite a bit of unsolicited praise. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 4 Oct. 2025 In fact, Swift’s penchant for singling out A-list artists dates back to her debut single. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025 Kirk implied on his radio show that those who benefited from the policies did not earn their spot, singling out Reid and several prominent Black women, including former first lady Michelle Obama. Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for single out

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Single out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/single%20out. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!