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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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 Tinashe’s singular vision is precisely what makes Popstar such an essential addition to her catalog — and to pop music in 2026. — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026 But in the years between Logic1000’s in-your-face debut EP and 2024’s duller, more careful Mother, her solo work became less singular. — Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026 Annals are historical records arranged by year; the clue leverages the entry’s singular form to misdirect us. — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2026 The producers rank Park as a singular voice in present-day Korean cinema. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for singular

Recent Examples of Synonyms for singular

Adjective

Some of the rooms are off-limits, but visitors will get to see Duke's extraordinary collection of Islamic art.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
The Portland decision — based in part on data the Department of Justice later admitted was false — prompted an extraordinary filing by Judge Jay Bybee, who all but pleaded with the court to rehear the case and interpret the law differently.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of extraordinary

Adjective

And now Great Question will, hopefully CBS News thinks, bring that voice to new places, in a digital expansion that is unusual for an evening news anchor.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
But the book walks the reader through Raichlen’s unusual path to becoming a food writer obsessed with the art of barbecuing.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

Hemsworth’s work has always spanned genres—just look at his omnivorous DJ sets—but Numbskull positions him as a more traditional songwriter, underscored by the album’s personal, earnest tone.

— Mehan Jayasuriya, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
The magnitude of the devastation is made personal for all of us.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of personal

Adjective

Thinking that writing code was the only bottleneck for deploying new software is like the Titanic seeing the tip of the iceberg and assuming there was nothing underneath it.

— Brian Jenney, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Oct. 2026
Governors are responding the only way the current system allows.

— Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of only

Adjective

Personalized medicine already helps doctors match patients with drugs suited to their cancer’s unique biology.

— Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
The Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing trio of Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski swept the top three spots in the first stage with a unique strategy that had the rest of the field nearly a lap down at one point.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

Coalition governments are not uncommon in the state, where politicians are fond of saying that pragmatism trumps partisanship.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Single digits—and even colder conditions, especially at elevation on Jackson Hole Mountain—are not uncommon.

— Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncommon

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

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

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Synonyms of singular

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