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

In Norway, that campaign has singled out Norges Bank Investment Management, the country’s $1.9 trillion sovereign wealth fund, which has holdings in hundreds of Israeli companies. —Heidi Taksdal Skjeseth, Fortune, 30 June 2025

And in a Fox News interview that aired on Sunday, Trump singled out Japan as one of the possible countries set to receive a letter. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 30 June 2025

Laing singled out as an example the recent community plans developed for the University City and Hillcrest neighborhoods, which allowed for some 47,000 new housing units, although the guidelines do not limit sale or rental costs. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025

Trump has called for reporters on the stories to be fired, but has singled out CNN’s Natasha Bertrand. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 26 June 2025

Rhymes for single out

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout