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
Trump has repeatedly singled out CEOs, pressured companies over business decisions, and used federal power to influence industries, from steel and autos to tech and media.
—
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
The scathing report by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors also singled out parts of Italy and Africa for failing to implement robust anti-abuse measures.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
The network singled out their commitments in a press statement that pointed to recent public statements from both Johnson and Jeffries.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
This was a double standard that all Haitian revolutionaries were held to – but Dessalines was singled out.
—Julia Gaffield, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for single out
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Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
The scathing report by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors also singled out parts of Italy and Africa for failing to implement robust anti-abuse measures.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
The network singled out their commitments in a press statement that pointed to recent public statements from both Johnson and Jeffries.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
This was a double standard that all Haitian revolutionaries were held to – but Dessalines was singled out.
—Julia Gaffield, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 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 24 Oct. 2025.
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