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Synonym Chooser

How is the word singular distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of singular are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

In what contexts can eccentric take the place of singular?

While in some cases nearly identical to singular, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When could erratic be used to replace singular?

The words erratic and singular are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When might odd be a better fit than singular?

The meanings of odd and singular largely overlap; however, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When is outlandish a more appropriate choice than singular?

Although the words outlandish and singular have much in common, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

Where would peculiar be a reasonable alternative to singular?

While the synonyms peculiar and singular are close in meaning, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When is it sensible to use quaint instead of singular?

The synonyms quaint and singular are sometimes interchangeable, but quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When would strange be a good substitute for singular?

The words strange and singular can be used in similar contexts, but strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When can unique be used instead of singular?

In some situations, the words unique and singular are roughly equivalent. However, unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of singular Estelle worked with a singular determination that defied the lack of traditional support. Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025 And a position that in a perfect world embodies the most singular leader on a football team. Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2025 That was Sameer: generous, iconoclastic and utterly singular. Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 16 Aug. 2025 Chicago Sky Operating Chairman Nadia Rawlinson knows there isn’t a singular solution to this problem. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for singular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for singular
Adjective
  • The choice is whether to exhaust yourself trying to conduct every note or to lay down a rhythm that enables your entire team to create something extraordinary together.
    Michael Hudson, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • And until the two men fell out this spring, Trump granted Tesla CEO Elon Musk an extraordinary amount of power to dismantle the federal workforce.
    Maria Aspan, NPR, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Travelers are increasingly experimenting with unusual or risky foods, leading to health issues.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Elliott is constantly evaluating stock, setting aside casks that demonstrate either particularly strong recipe character or unusual depth.
    Emily Price, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Humanity might devolve into individuals interacting with their personal set of AIs and not much else.
    Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025
  • That would leave annual inflation averaging 2.6% during Trump's term and peaking at 3.1% in 2026, based on the Commerce Department’s personal consumption expenditures price index.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Marshall at Georgia The only previous meeting between the Thundering Herd and Bulldogs was 2004 when the latter prevailed at home, 13-3.
    Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Chile is one of 42 countries − and the only South American country − that takes part in the program.
    Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The case of Alexa illustrates the unique challenges that trans immigrants are facing as the administration of President Donald Trump vows to carry out a record number of arrests and deportations, according to immigrant and LGBTQ+ advocates.
    Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • DraftKings Promo Code: Get Instant $200 CFB Bonus, Sunday Ticket Offer The DraftKings promo code offer is unique and great for football fans.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • While rainbow snakes are not venomous, snake bites are not uncommon in the United States, with approximately 7,000 to 8,000 people bitten by venomous snakes across the country annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
  • This dog's choice of eating grass over running at the park isn't uncommon, but the reason still remains unclear, with several theories floating around, according to an article from PetMD.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • That said, rigid models and subjective weighting can limit adaptability in dynamic projects.
    Ohm Kundurthy, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Some reminders: First, yes, this is a subjective exercise.
    Chris Vannini, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.
    SI.com, SI.com, 3 Aug. 2019
  • Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.
    Johannes Himmelreich, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2018

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Cite this Entry

“Singular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/singular. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

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