except for

preposition

1
: with the exception of
everyone was gone except for me
2
: were it not for
except for you I would be dead

Examples of except for in a Sentence

except for newscasts, I hardly watch any television at all
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Running a red light is only an infraction in Idaho, so the law bars traffic-enforcement agencies from using the cameras to catch red-light runners, except for those instances that result in an accident. Amaia Gavica, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2025 Angela Weiss/Getty What To Know The alert took effect at 3 p.m. on Thursday afternoon and will remain in place at least through Friday night at 11 p.m. Nearly all of Wisconsin is currently under the advisory, except for the southwest part of the state. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025 Broadcom recently cut members of the lowest tier of the VMware partner program in all of its geographies except for Europe, The Register pointed out. Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2025 All specimens were found at night among the leaf litter on the forest except for the first two, which were discovered perched on a tree trunk and a branch, according to the study. Lauren Liebhaber july 24, Miami Herald, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for except for

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of except for was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Except for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/except%20for. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

except for

preposition
: with the exception of : but for
all A's except for a B in Latin
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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