ex·empt
ig-ˈzem(p)t 
1
: free or released from some liability or requirement to which others are subject
was exempt from jury duty
the estate was exempt from taxes
2
obsolete
: set apart
exempted; exempting; exempts
: to release or deliver from some liability or requirement to which others are subject
exempted from military service
: one exempted or freed from duty
Examples of exempt in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Annie Laurie Gaylor, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025
Earnings on munis are typically exempt from federal tax.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2025
The only initial exemptions were for emergency food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt were exempted from the freeze, per AP.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025
Adam Baum, The Enquirer, 20 July 2022
The electric-car maker clashed with Fremont officials last month over whether its factory was an essential business exempt from shutdown orders.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 Apr. 2020
See all Example Sentences for exempt 
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Adjective
Without the Johnson Amendment, churches — which are exempt from reporting requirements applying to other charities — could become dark money political operatives.
—Annie Laurie Gaylor, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025
Earnings on munis are typically exempt from federal tax.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
Barger and Lindsey Horvath, whose districts were in the path of the fires, want Gov. Gavin Newsom to temporarily exempt those areas from laws intended to speed up the creation of affordable housing.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2025
The only initial exemptions were for emergency food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt were exempted from the freeze, per AP.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
One additional player may be added to each draw as a special exempt.
—Adam Baum, The Enquirer, 20 July 2022
The electric-car maker clashed with Fremont officials last month over whether its factory was an essential business exempt from shutdown orders.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 Apr. 2020
See all Example Sentences for exempt
Articles Related to exempt
Dictionary Entries Near exempt
Cite this Entry
“Exempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exempt. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exempt
1 of 2 adjective
ex·empt
ig-ˈzem(p)t
: free or released from some requirement that others must meet or deal with
exempt
2 of 2 verb
: to make exempt
Legal Definition
exempt
1 of 2 adjective
ex·empt
ig-ˈzempt
: free or released from some obligation or duty to which others are subject : not subject or liable
certain properties are declared to be exempt and cannot be taken by a person's creditors—J. H. Williamson
J. H. Williamsonexempt
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to release or exclude from some liability (as in taxation), obligation, or duty to which others are subject
exempts the income of a spendthrift trust—W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.
W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.Love words? Need even more definitions?
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