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

Beck singled out one of those wideouts, Starling, who tallied a game-high nine receptions for 106 yards and a TD. —Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Nov. 2025

The festival’s non-fiction juries singled out two projects for top honors. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Nov. 2025

Earlier this month, Enquirer food and dining writer Keith Pandolfi singled out O'Malley's in the Alley for being the best dive bar in Cincinnati. —Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Nov. 2025

Some items singled out for exemption have shot up in price over the last year. —Rachel Barber, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025

Rhymes for single out

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