1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
an exceptional amount of snow fell in March
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disabled
deprived of the power to perform one or more natural bodily activities
her experience working with exceptional children was rewarding and inspiring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind
a special school for exceptional children
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exceptional
Malcolm was an exceptional husband, father, and son — a man deeply in love with life, his wife, and his daughter.
—
Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025
The United States’ average of 1.6 kids is not exceptional.
—Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
Advertisement For more than a century, demonizing opponents has been useful for delegitimizing threats and justifying exceptional actions in foreign lands.
—Time, 8 Aug. 2025
The Latin Music Educator Award is a new distinction, in partnership with the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, that recognizes one exceptional educator from the global music community who is making a significant impact by incorporating Latin music into their curriculum.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exceptional
Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025
The United States’ average of 1.6 kids is not exceptional.
—Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
Advertisement For more than a century, demonizing opponents has been useful for delegitimizing threats and justifying exceptional actions in foreign lands.
—Time, 8 Aug. 2025
The Latin Music Educator Award is a new distinction, in partnership with the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, that recognizes one exceptional educator from the global music community who is making a significant impact by incorporating Latin music into their curriculum.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exceptional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exceptional
Adjective
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The choice is whether to exhaust yourself trying to conduct every note or to lay down a rhythm that enables your entire team to create something extraordinary together.—
Michael Hudson,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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And until the two men fell out this spring, Trump granted Tesla CEO Elon Musk an extraordinary amount of power to dismantle the federal workforce.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In June, in another move that captured media attention, Carney asked the local delegation of state legislators to give his town the option to cap property taxes for longtime residents, disabled veterans and first responders.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Aug. 2025
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More importantly, if just one lock were disabled or destroyed, the passage from east to west would be essentially inoperable, crippling the United States and its military defenses.—
Shoshi Parks,
Popular Science,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The war in Ukraine is creating high pressure innovation in intelligent drones and swarms.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
These are dynamic, intelligent, very witty women that can use their words in arguments.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Just to see John Turturro and Christopher Walken play lovers is so unexpected, so unusual and so well done.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Off-kilter stripe directions, unusual color combinations and details like denim colors update polos and rugby shirts.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Law enforcement agencies say checkpoint locations are chosen based on crash data and areas where impaired driving is more common.—
Cathie Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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In many neurological conditions, from Alzheimer’s disease to psychiatric disorders, mitochondrial energy production is impaired.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
These clever yet bizarre gadgets are both fun and oddly useful.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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Finally, her writing is a weekly source of delight—so clever, fun, informative, and uplifting.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The move, a standing, forward-imploding springboard cutter, is one of the most unique finishers in all of wrestling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
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There’s a magic quality to it, plus the tension from filming on film is unique.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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That's the only way to honor the spirit of the brilliant, elusive Parker.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
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What might seem a perverse choice reveals itself, over Dry Leaf’s epic length, as a brilliant thematic gesture that elicits its own temporal register.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exceptional. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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