exceptionalism

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noun ex·cep·tion·al·ism \ ik-ˈsep-shnə-ˌli-zəm , -shə-nə- \

Definition of exceptionalism

:the condition of being different from the norm; also :a theory expounding the exceptionalism especially of a nation or region

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exceptionalist

play \ik-ˈsep-shnə-list, -shə-nə-\ adjective

Recent Examples of exceptionalism from the Web

That bit of California exceptionalism may have turned out to be not quite true—

— beejoli shah, Bon Appetit, "Why Everybody Loooves Dole Whip," 10 Aug. 2017
The speech, delivered on May 2, 2015, is full of advice to graduates and its main theme is a call to selfless service of the country and a paean to American exceptionalism.

— gray rohrer, OrlandoSentinel.com, "New top Trump aide John Kelly gave views on service, immigration in 2015 FSU speech," 3 Aug. 2017
Before the war, American exceptionalism, progress and patriotism went hand in hand.

— doug capra, Alaska Dispatch News, "A century ago, Seward’s Mount Marathon race had a different flavor," 4 July 2017
Like Trump, Bolling is an instinctive critic of American exceptionalism.

— alex shephard, New Republic, "Meet the Trump-splainers," 3 July 2017
The return of Lakers exceptionalism is my favorite development of the offseason.

— andrew sharp, SI.com, "NBA Stock Watch: Free Agency Rumors, Paul George Dreams And More," 27 June 2017
All human life is sacred, every child is our child, exceptionalism is always our enemy.

— james rettig, Billboard, "Roger Waters Responds To Thom Yorke's Defense Of Radiohead's Israel Concert," 6 June 2017
Wonder Woman has no use for global history except as grist for American exceptionalism, which animates the storylines of so many heroes in the comic book universe, from Captain America to Superman.

— josephine livingstone, New Republic, "Wonder Woman Is Propaganda," 6 June 2017
The answer is that Khan helps Trump articulate his new, and still not widely understood, brand of American exceptionalism.

— peter beinart, The Atlantic, "Why Trump Criticized a London Under Attack," 4 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exceptionalism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of exceptionalism

1929

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exceptionalism

Definition of exceptionalism

exceptionalist

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exceptionalism

Definition of exceptionalism

exceptionalist

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