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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 Season after season, her decision to make such singular and gorgeous use of the Black cultural reservoir remains impressive, never stale, but always Grace. Julian Randall, Essence, 25 Jan. 2025 The couple’s involvement also boosts Gibson’s public visibility as a singular voice in a difficult historical moment. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025 Lynch and his co-creator, Mark Frost, drew on the director’s affection for both the eldritch and the ordinary to conceive this singular affair, making great use of Lynch’s ability to balance these two discordant modes. Emma Stefansky, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2025 In his later life, Lynch charged into the digital frontier in his typically singular fashion. David Sims, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for singular 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for singular
Adjective
  • The analysis predicts an extraordinary reversal in housing fortunes for Americans — nearly $1.5 trillion in asset losses over the next 30 years.
    Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Unleashing the synergy of public and private American space power can achieve extraordinary world-leading results in record time.
    John Kross, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Not fun: conflating all unusual, standalone, departure, or otherwise distinctive episodes into the term bottle episode.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Available in three sophisticated shades – carbon, affogato, and flute (a light, blue-tinged grey) – it’s spun from 100% cashmere sourced from a prestigious Italian mill regarded as the world’s finest, and knitted to be a double-faced jersey, which is unusual.
    Benedict Browne, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In a reply via X/Twitter Spaces, Cardi asks fans to keep her out of Pardi and Megan’s personal business.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Alex King, a former FX trader and founder of personal finance platform Generation Money, agreed that Trump’s policies could provide Britain with some economic relief.
    Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Bliss wasn't the only surprise return in the Women's Royal Rumble.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
  • Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, the only Republican elected to the position in Tillis’ home state, agrees.
    Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Young summed up his circumstances by putting a unique twist on his name.
    Chantz Martin, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
  • During the fourth quarter, office demand in the city jumped 25% from the year before, according to VTS, which measures demand through unique new tenant tours of properties.
    Diana Olick, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • However, complete asthma remission, in which all symptoms go away for a year or more without any medications, is uncommon.
    Daniel More, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2025
  • The big picture: Fatal crashes of commercial aircraft in the U.S. have become uncommon in the 21st century, as regulations have increased, technology has advanced and safety measures and controls have improved.
    Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Gomez has been more vocal about the threat to journalism posed by the FCC’s aggressive stance on subjective questions of media bias.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Wooden boards are generally more expensive, though, so better is a little subjective.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 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

Thesaurus Entries Near singular

Cite this Entry

“Singular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/singular. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on singular

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