ˌən-ik-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəl
as in normal
being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events
the physicist, now regarded as one of the brightest minds in science, was an unexceptional student as a child
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Recent Examples of unexceptional
Even in good times, economic growth under the euro was unexceptional, but with the global financial crisis, the situation grew dire.
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Andrew Moravcsik, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2016
The ambivalence of André and his parents was culturally unexceptional, but Simone’s abhorrence wasn’t.
—Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024
Los bárbaros is a razor-sharp critique not only of how authorities respond to violent events—which have become sadly unexceptional along the border—but also of the implicit trust placed in the moving image when used to document such incidents.
—Maricarmen Barrios, ARTnews.com, 26 July 2024
Between meetings, Winfrey was photographed in a pair of Philo’s $1,700 chalk-white jeans with straps at the knee and a $1,700 fluid white turtleneck, looking like, well, anyone else who pairs a white blouse with white trousers, which is to say pulled together but unexceptional.
—Rachel Tashjian, Washington Post, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for unexceptional 
Andrew Moravcsik, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2016
The ambivalence of André and his parents was culturally unexceptional, but Simone’s abhorrence wasn’t.
—Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024
Los bárbaros is a razor-sharp critique not only of how authorities respond to violent events—which have become sadly unexceptional along the border—but also of the implicit trust placed in the moving image when used to document such incidents.
—Maricarmen Barrios, ARTnews.com, 26 July 2024
Between meetings, Winfrey was photographed in a pair of Philo’s $1,700 chalk-white jeans with straps at the knee and a $1,700 fluid white turtleneck, looking like, well, anyone else who pairs a white blouse with white trousers, which is to say pulled together but unexceptional.
—Rachel Tashjian, Washington Post, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for unexceptional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unexceptional
Adjective
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Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for Paul for comment on Wednesday outside of normal business hours.Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
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The city climbed to 40 degrees on Monday but will fail to get warmer than the teens on Friday – a full 10 degrees below normal.Mary Gilbert, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Finding a few flaky specs on your head isn’t anything out of the ordinary.Jenna Ryu, SELF, 20 Dec. 2024
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While travelers still expect comfort and quiet, they’re also drawn to experiences that go beyond the ordinary.Pascal Bélanger, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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That sizable group still has relatively fresh immunity, meaning fewer people than usual are susceptible to infection right now.Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
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In these events, snowy owls can be seen much farther south than usual, throughout the lower 48 states.Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Northbound Stock Connect volumes were just above average.Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
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An average international roundtrip is $1,630 — 13% more expensive.Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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This sort of setup is typical of an area that is, even by Italian standards, one of the great foodie regions.Toby Skinner, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Dec. 2024
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It is otherwise recognized for a dial that is typical to Cartier with Roman numerals, a chemin de fer minute track, and blued steel hands, although some outliers of those parameters do exist.Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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This terminology has become commonplace among Russian officials and police officers who associate criminality with non-Slavic-looking migrants.Anna Nemtsova, The Atlantic, 27 Dec. 2024
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As a result, reports of college closures have become commonplace.Bryan Penprase, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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These strategies are now unremarkable enough to be taught to kids in schools.Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 10 Dec. 2024
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The trip is really propaganda, meant to support’s Japan’s colonial expansion policy, and the naive Aoyama sends home a series of unremarkable essays to be published in Mainland Japanese papers.Irina Dumitrescu, The Dial, 27 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near unexceptional
Cite this Entry
“Unexceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexceptional. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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