exceptional
adjective
ex·cep·tion·al
ik-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəl 
2
: better than average : superior
exceptional skill
3
: deviating from the norm: such as
a
: having above or below average intelligence
b
: physically disabled
exceptionalness
noun
Examples of exceptional in a Sentence
We're bending the rules for this exceptional situation.
an exceptional student in math
The seafood dishes at this restaurant are exceptional.
a separate school for exceptional children
Recent Examples on the Web
Organizations that resist this model risk missing out on exceptional talent that no longer fits the climb-the-ladder blueprint.
—
Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Vogue Weddings An all-access invitation to the exceptional and inspirational, plus planning tips and advice.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2025
Despite their extensive tag team history, the match devolved into a repetitive exchange of superkicks, failing to showcase the wrestlers' true abilities and leaving fans disappointed, especially amidst an otherwise exceptional WrestleMania card.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
However, the fact that the female figure may represent a priestess holding religious objects makes the discovery exceptional, as the researchers write.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exceptional
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Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Vogue Weddings An all-access invitation to the exceptional and inspirational, plus planning tips and advice.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2025
Despite their extensive tag team history, the match devolved into a repetitive exchange of superkicks, failing to showcase the wrestlers' true abilities and leaving fans disappointed, especially amidst an otherwise exceptional WrestleMania card.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
However, the fact that the female figure may represent a priestess holding religious objects makes the discovery exceptional, as the researchers write.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exceptional
Cite this Entry
“Exceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exceptional. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exceptional
adjective
ex·cep·tion·al
ik-ˈsep-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
1
: forming an exception : being unusual
an exceptional amount of rain
2
: better than average : superior
an exceptional student in math
exceptionally
adverb
-ē
exceptionalness
noun
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