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

For centuries, the prevailing view asserted human cognitive exceptionalism. —David Chauvet, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2025

In a report released last week, Citi Research upgraded China to overweight, while downgrading U.S. equities to neutral because U.S. exceptionalism has paused after being overweight since October 2023, expecting more negative data prints from the country’s economy. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 19 Mar. 2025

In the past six months, a very strong international narrative has spread around the notion of ‘American exceptionalism’. —Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025

But that exceptionalism stemmed from bold vision and an ability to accomplish big things. —Dan Goldman, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 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