exclamation

noun

ex·​cla·​ma·​tion ˌek-sklə-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce exclamation (audio)
1
: a sharp or sudden utterance
2
: vehement expression of protest or complaint

Examples of exclamation in a Sentence

Her unexpected announcement caused a few exclamations of surprise. the good news was greeted with a chorus of joyous exclamations
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.
Matt Prater's 32-yard field goal as time expired put an exclamation mark on what could turn out to be the NFL's Game of the Year, but some will remember Sunday's game for what happened away from the field. Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025 Or too much filler could be injected, which could lead to labia with an exclamation mark after them. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025 Kukla is prone to cutesy phrases like ‘ninja-grade communication skills’ and exclamation marks, to anesthetizing what ought to ache. Book Marks august 21, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2025 Crucially, the minutes leading up to those exclamations were not business as usual. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exclamation

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exclamation was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exclamation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exclamation. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

exclamation

noun
ex·​cla·​ma·​tion ˌeks-klə-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce exclamation (audio)
1
: a sharp or sudden cry of strong feeling
2
: a strong expression of anger or complaint

More from Merriam-Webster on exclamation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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