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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 If playing man-to-man defense can feel singular, zone is collective. Pete Sampson, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 In profiles—on John Akomfrah, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Ellen Gallagher, Glenn Ligon, Lorna Simpson, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, and Nari Ward, to name a few—Enwezor returned repeatedly to the idea of representation as a turn from a singular self to a plural self that becomes political. Simon Njami, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025 Private players not behind Private industry has moved beyond showcasing singular platforms to presenting suites that cover air, sea, and land, emphasizing secure supply chains and certified control stacks. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025 The Party has failed to find both a singular message and messenger, Jon Allsop argues in his latest column. Erin Neil, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for singular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for singular
Adjective
  • As a result, Ecuador has avoided the extraordinary inflation that has afflicted so many nations in South America, including Argentina.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Created in her honor, this rose symbolizes her lifelong mission to protect people, animals, and the environment, offering gardeners a living reminder of her extraordinary impact and enduring message of hope.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This is not particularly unusual, and in a traditional 4-2-3-1 system, forcing a team down one side is effective.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The lawsuit is the first to challenge the administration's unusual use of partisan messaging in government communications during the shutdown, which legal experts told NPR may violate federal ethics laws.
    Shannon Bond, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • We, in collaboration with our partners, store and/or access information on a user's device, including but not limited to IP addresses, unique identifiers, and browsing data stored in cookies, in order to process personal data.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Shop Apple AirTags, personal safety alarms, anti-theft bags, and more essentials while they’re marked down up to 56 percent off.
    Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • When quitting feels like the only option For Khris Rogers, the symptoms that consumed her during perimenopause stole her ability to keep her job.
    Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Kaprizov, Spurgeon and Brodin weren’t the only players from the current roster to make the cut.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • These unique skills are essential for the one requirement that the commission must do — pass a balanced budget.
    Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Participants will learn the differences between dabbling and diving ducks, their unique characteristics and how to use eBird to find local waterfowl viewing hot spots.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • During this process, scientists look at the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, testing it first in small groups to assess safety, then in larger groups to confirm protection and detect uncommon side effects.
    David Higgins, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Side effects are uncommon in healthy people and may include symptoms like gas and bloating.
    Kirstyn Hill, Health, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Success in combat is less subjective than success in many other activities and therefore leaves less room for favoritism, rent seeking, and old-fashioned sandbagging.
    Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Of course, there is no definitive answer to the question of which royal princess has more aura, which is itself a highly subjective concept.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on singular

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