exceptional
adjective
ex·cep·tion·al
ik-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəl 
2
: better than average : superior
exceptional skill
3
: deviating from the norm: such as
a
: having above or below average intelligence
b
: physically disabled
exceptionalness
noun
Examples of exceptional in a Sentence
We're bending the rules for this exceptional situation.
an exceptional student in math
The seafood dishes at this restaurant are exceptional.
a separate school for exceptional children
Recent Examples on the Web
But against the Jets, Horn padded his highlight reel and stat sheet with a pair of exceptional plays on the ball.
—
Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2025
Its modular transport platform can also be reconfigured for a wide range of missions, offering exceptional scalability and operational flexibility.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2025
Longtime colleagues remember Laurence for his witty conversation, zest for life, broad range of interests and depth of knowledge, as well as his exceptional skill as a critic.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2025
Sharing the minutes around will hopefully reduce the strain on key players so they are only pushed to the limit in exceptional circumstances.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exceptional
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Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2025
Its modular transport platform can also be reconfigured for a wide range of missions, offering exceptional scalability and operational flexibility.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2025
Longtime colleagues remember Laurence for his witty conversation, zest for life, broad range of interests and depth of knowledge, as well as his exceptional skill as a critic.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2025
Sharing the minutes around will hopefully reduce the strain on key players so they are only pushed to the limit in exceptional circumstances.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exceptional
Cite this Entry
“Exceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exceptional. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exceptional
adjective
ex·cep·tion·al
ik-ˈsep-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
1
: forming an exception : being unusual
an exceptional amount of rain
2
: better than average : superior
an exceptional student in math
exceptionally
adverb
-ē
exceptionalness
noun
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