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
Examples of exceptionalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Much federal funding now requires celebrating American greatness, military valor, and exceptionalism.
—
Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
The myth of American exceptionalism—already bruised by years of chaos—is giving way to the image of a banana republic with F-35s.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
See Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy and Zack Snyder’s DCEU films, which for all their engrossing storytelling and visual splendors are militaristic fantasies of power and control with a splash of Ayn Randian exceptionalism.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Others were trying to find a place in a growing narrative of American exceptionalism.
—JSTOR Daily, 26 Oct. 2025
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Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
The myth of American exceptionalism—already bruised by years of chaos—is giving way to the image of a banana republic with F-35s.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
See Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy and Zack Snyder’s DCEU films, which for all their engrossing storytelling and visual splendors are militaristic fantasies of power and control with a splash of Ayn Randian exceptionalism.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Others were trying to find a place in a growing narrative of American exceptionalism.
—JSTOR Daily, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exceptionalism
Cite this Entry
“Exceptionalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exceptionalism. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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