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

\/\/ a singular<\/em> feeling of impending disaster<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'eccentric' take the place of 'singular'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to singular<\/em>, eccentric<\/em><\/a> suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.<\/p>

\/\/ the eccentric<\/em> eating habits of preschoolers<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'erratic' be used to replace 'singular'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words erratic<\/em><\/a> and singular<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, erratic<\/em> stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.<\/p>

\/\/ a friend's suddenly erratic<\/em> behavior<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'odd' be a better fit than 'singular'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of odd<\/em><\/a> and singular<\/em> largely overlap; however, odd<\/em> applies to a departure from the regular or expected.<\/p>

\/\/ an odd<\/em> sense of humor<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'outlandish' a more appropriate choice than 'singular'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words outlandish<\/em><\/a> and singular<\/em> have much in common, outlandish<\/em> applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.<\/p>

\/\/ outlandish<\/em> fashions of the time<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'peculiar' be a reasonable alternative to 'singular'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms peculiar<\/em><\/a> and singular<\/em> are close in meaning, peculiar<\/em> implies a marked distinctiveness.<\/p>

\/\/ the peculiar<\/em> status of America's first lady<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'quaint' instead of 'singular'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms quaint<\/em><\/a> and singular<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but quaint<\/em> suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.<\/p>

\/\/ a quaint<\/em> fishing village<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'strange' be a good substitute for 'singular'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words strange<\/em><\/a> and singular<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but strange<\/em> stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.<\/p>

\/\/ a journey filled with strange<\/em> sights<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'unique' be used instead of 'singular'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words unique<\/em><\/a> and singular<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, unique<\/em> implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.<\/p>

\/\/ a career unique<\/em> in the annals of science<\/p>" } } ] }

singular

adjective

ˈsiÅ‹-gyÉ™-lÉ™r How to pronounce singular (audio)
Definition of singularnext
1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary the novelist's singular command of the language makes her a compelling voice in contemporary fiction

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unusual
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced appearing on the game show has been the most singular experience of my life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in personal
of, relating to, or belonging to a single person preserving our national heritage is not a singular responsibility but our collective duty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in only
being the one or ones of a class with no other members this crime was a singular case, and using it as a reason for revising the criminal code would be ill-advised

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The 2026 SeriesMakers packs an eclectic lineup, driven by creators’ strongly singular voices. —John Hopewell, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026 An Already Remarkable Animal Gets Stranger The platypus has long occupied a singular place in the biological catalog. —Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026 Money market accounts also have other features, like check-writing, that can be helpful for those savers who prefer to streamline all of their banking needs with one singular account. —Matt Richardson, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026 Mental health specialists desperately needed For teenagers sent to juvenile corrections facilities, there's no singular program dedicated to addressing gun violence, said Beth Hardtke, director of communications for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. —Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for singular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for singular
  1. extraordinary
  2. unusual
  3. personal
  4. only
  5. unique
  6. uncommon
  7. subjective
  8. one
Adjective
  • Basketball awards time During a season in which the individual talent for boys and girls basketball was extraordinary, earning all-star recognition became quite an achievement.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Late Shift follows a single staff member, named Floria and played by the extraordinary German actor Leonie Benesch, in a cancer ward for a tightly wound 90 minutes.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • The rapid melting is also increasing avalanche activity in unusual places.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • But Chris Piper, manager of public policy and stakeholder engagement at the Partnership for Public Service, said the length of time that has passed since Means' rescheduled confirmation hearing also is unusual.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Local 142's donation drive in Honolulu, which accepts blankets, non-perishable food, personal hygiene products, and waterproof clothing.
    — KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
  • This could also be a time of personal transformation, when some part of yourself ends, and another begins.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of personal
Adjective
  • Baker would probably love People’s, a new referral-only cocktail lounge in the West Village.
    — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The only factor complicating a further invasion would be the political cost at home.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of only
Adjective
  • Moriarty and Thekla are outstanding in the ring and outside of it, using another canvas to display their other unique talent.
    — James Varsallone, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Take advantage of this energy by stretching your mind, whether that means practicing a new skill or reaching out to discuss philosophy with peers who have unique perspectives.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • Mail-only ballot elections are a cheaper, though slightly uncommon, alternative for cities when no candidates are on the ballot, like in the case of the upcoming April 21 election in the City Beautiful, according to Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
  • That kind of thing is not uncommon.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • But in order for baseball to create its system, MLB had to definitively define its strike zone, which has been a moving, subjective target since the dawn of the game.
    — Juliette Arcodia, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Scary is subjective, but for many people, HHN is terrifying.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of subjective
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
Definition of one

Browse Nearby Words

sings (out)
singular
singularities
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Singular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/singular. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of singular for Spanish Speakers

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