SINGULAR Synonyms: 151 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

singular

adjective

ˈsiŋ-gyə-lər

Definition of singular

as in extraordinary

being out of the ordinary the novelist's singular command of the language makes her a compelling voice in contemporary fiction

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

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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

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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 Eventually some came to regard him with a singular reverence—as if public health were a new religion, and Fauci its living idol. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 His only acknowledgement of his running is his name on the ballot and a singular Facebook post. — Sophie Lindberg july 27, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026 Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins, the organization’s top baseball executives, are planning to buy with a singular focus on pitching. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 July 2026 That, plus the ocean views, make dining at Birdcage a singular experience. — Ronee Uyeshiro, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for singular

Recent Examples of Synonyms for singular

Adjective

The challenge before us is serious, but the promise of American higher education remains extraordinary.

— Daniel Diermeier, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Today’s leading model will eventually be replaced, and capabilities that seem extraordinary now will become familiar.

— Brent Saunders, Fortune, 31 July 2026

Definition of extraordinary

Adjective

Ultimately, both sides are jockeying for power after the war, given the unusual uncertainty brought on by the change in the supreme leadership.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Some reported magnetic order, unusual Hall effects, and efficient spin-charge conversion, while others found no evidence of magnetism in bulk crystals or relaxed thin films.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

The article emphasizes that leaders must prioritize organizational interventions, such as de-emphasizing long hours and offering clinical sleep support like CBT-I, rather than just personal solutions.

— Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Engle then diverted the money to personal purchases, including a yacht, vehicles, jewelry, and other luxury items, authorities said.

— Doug Myers, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of personal

Adjective

While maximalist trends often signify that louder pieces are the only way to look fashion-forward, bold styles are ultimately fickle and harder to reinvent in new looks.

— Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 1 Aug. 2026
Mitchell Evans, offensive lineman Robert Hunt, and offensive lineman Damien Lewis were the only ones on the team’s training camp roster who didn’t practice Friday.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of only

Adjective

The Duchess of Sussex and Cookie Queens director Alysa Nahmias sat down for a Q&A session after the film, and, in photos from the event, eagle-eyed fans noticed a unique-looking ring on Meghan’s middle finger.

— Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
As past and present echo through the mountains, human encroachment and indifference threaten to erase their unique spirit, and his story becomes a reflection of an age-old, unequal struggle.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

Severe deficiency is uncommon, but nutrition experts say chronically low intake can signal a dietary gap worth addressing.

— Lauren Manaker MS, Health, 31 July 2026
Cases of rabies in pets, such as horses, dogs and cats, are uncommon because many pet owners vaccinate their animals against rabies, according to the California Department of Public Health.

— Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

Definition of uncommon

Adjective

The study evaluated ChatGPT-4's ability to create structured SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment and plan) medical notes from audio recordings of physician-patient encounters.

— Pat Williams, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
This is our pick for best of the night, but that’s subjective.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 4 Aug. 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

Cite this Entry

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“Singular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/singular. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of singular

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The Words of the Week - 2/5/21

Cite this Entry

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