exemplary
adjective
ex·em·pla·ry
ig-ˈzem-plə-rē 
1
a
: deserving imitation : commendable
his courage was exemplary
also
: deserving imitation because of excellence
they serve exemplary pastries —
G. V. Higgins
G. V. Higgins
b
: serving as a pattern
2
: serving as an example, instance, or illustration
this story is exemplary of her style
3
: serving as a warning : monitory
given an exemplary punishment
Synonyms
Examples of exemplary in a Sentence
Each cantina has its own style, but almost all of them share several key traits: uniformed waiters offering exemplary service, a trio of musicians strolling from table to table playing songs on request, lots of men playing dominoes, plenty of good tequila and cold beer, and tasty home-cooked botanas (snacks) served free with each round of drinks.
—Chris Humphrey, National Geographic Traveler, September 2008
A few Hollywood couples stayed hitched—Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, 50 years and counting—but such exemplary marriages had less entertainment value than the connubial career of, say, Elizabeth Taylor, eight times wed and divorced, including two volatile turns with Richard Burton.
—Richard Corliss, Time, 28 Jan. 2008
Among the most important factors that distinguished the best Civil War regiments from the mediocre ones were the quality and exemplary courage of their officers.
—James M. McPherson, New York Review of Books, 6 Oct. 2005
as a hospital volunteer you have given exemplary service to your community
armies have traditionally used public execution as an exemplary punishment for the crime of desertion
Chris Humphrey, National Geographic Traveler, September 2008
A few Hollywood couples stayed hitched—Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, 50 years and counting—but such exemplary marriages had less entertainment value than the connubial career of, say, Elizabeth Taylor, eight times wed and divorced, including two volatile turns with Richard Burton.
—Richard Corliss, Time, 28 Jan. 2008
Among the most important factors that distinguished the best Civil War regiments from the mediocre ones were the quality and exemplary courage of their officers.
—James M. McPherson, New York Review of Books, 6 Oct. 2005
as a hospital volunteer you have given exemplary service to your community
armies have traditionally used public execution as an exemplary punishment for the crime of desertion
Recent Examples on the Web
Offensively, several players have soared in Butler’s absence: ▪ Herro, who has been exemplary all season, has scored 26, 14, 23 and 32 in the four games on this road trip, with 18 three-pointers and 17 assists.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2025
In March 2023, Seven Talents sued Neugebauer alleging fraud on the $11 MM of startup capital plus breaches of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, exemplary damages and self-dealing to run the business into the ground and steal the assets.
—Ann Rutledge, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
An exemplary successor to his #11 predecessors (LaVar, Micah).
—Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
In the quarterfinals, Penn State did an exemplary job against Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, holding college football’s best back to just 104 yards on 30 carries (3.5 average) with no touchdowns and two fumbles (one lost).
—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2025
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Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2025
In March 2023, Seven Talents sued Neugebauer alleging fraud on the $11 MM of startup capital plus breaches of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, exemplary damages and self-dealing to run the business into the ground and steal the assets.
—Ann Rutledge, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
An exemplary successor to his #11 predecessors (LaVar, Micah).
—Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
In the quarterfinals, Penn State did an exemplary job against Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, holding college football’s best back to just 104 yards on 30 carries (3.5 average) with no touchdowns and two fumbles (one lost).
—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for exemplary
Dictionary Entries Near exemplary
Cite this Entry
“Exemplary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exemplary. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exemplary
adjective
ex·em·pla·ry
ig-ˈzem-plə-rē
: deserving to be imitated : commendable
exemplary behavior
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