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
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The spectacle of the Long Walk is even sadder as a stand-in for capitalist expectations, its conscripts literally marching themselves to death as sacrifices to fading American exceptionalism.
—
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
That would trash this fragile narrative of San Diego exceptionalism.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
Godfrey-Smith mentioned a wonderful experiment from 2016 by a team from Queen’s University Belfast that might dent our notions of human exceptionalism.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
Putin believes in a kind of Russian exceptionalism with Russia as the great power between East and West.
—Richard Stengel, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
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Alison Willmore, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
That would trash this fragile narrative of San Diego exceptionalism.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
Godfrey-Smith mentioned a wonderful experiment from 2016 by a team from Queen’s University Belfast that might dent our notions of human exceptionalism.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
Putin believes in a kind of Russian exceptionalism with Russia as the great power between East and West.
—Richard Stengel, Time, 16 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 2025.
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