exceptionalism

noun

ex·​cep·​tion·​al·​ism ik-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nə-ˌli-zəm 

: the condition of being different from the norm

also : a theory expounding the exceptionalism especially of a nation or region

exceptionalist

ik-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nə-list 

adjective

Examples of exceptionalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s in part because investors think US exceptionalism may have peaked, analysts at Bank of America wrote. —John Towfighi, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025

Read more What People Think Opinion related to business and economic issues submitted to The Hill: Cracks are emerging in the idea of America’s economic exceptionalism You’re all caught up. —Aris Folley, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2025

Can faith in American exceptionalism still inspire people to action? —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025

This is also the plot that feels most distinct from modern westerns, which sometimes shrink away from considering how religion played into theories of American exceptionalism. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for exceptionalism

• absolutism
• adventurism
• aestheticism
• africanism
• agnosticism
• alcoholism
• anabolism
• anachronism
• anglicanism
• antagonism
• arianism
• asceticism