exemplar

noun

ex·​em·​plar ig-ˈzem-ˌplär 

-plər,

eg-

: one that serves as a model or example: such as

a

: an ideal model

b

: a typical or standard specimen

an exemplar of medieval architecture

c

: a copy of a book or writing

d

: idea sense 4c

Synonyms

• case
• example
• exemplification
• illustration
• instance
• prototype
• representative
• sample
• specimen

Choose the Right Synonym for exemplar

model, example, pattern, exemplar, ideal mean someone or something set before one for guidance or imitation.

model applies to something taken or proposed as worthy of imitation.

a decor that is a model of good taste

example applies to a person to be imitated or in some contexts on no account to be imitated but to be regarded as a warning.

children tend to follow the example of their parents

pattern suggests a clear and detailed archetype or prototype.

American industry set a pattern for others to follow

exemplar suggests either a faultless example to be emulated or a perfect typification.

cited Joan of Arc as the exemplar of courage

ideal implies the best possible exemplification either in reality or in conception.

never found a job that matched his ideal

Examples of exemplar in a Sentence

cited Joan of Arc as the exemplar of courage

He is an exemplar of this new breed of politician.

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of a one-off, Jan. 6 might just be a bad taste of things to come, with the peaceful transfer of power — the foundation of our election system and an exemplar to the world — becoming just another artifact of a political time gone by. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023

The United States has become the exemplar of far-right extremism. —Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2023

Born 17 years after Finland won independence from Russia, Eeva Valtonen has watched her homeland transform: from the devastation of World War II through years of rebuilding to a nation held up as an exemplar to the world. —Penelope Colston Jake Michaels, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2023

Latimer saw himself as an exemplar of what succeeding generations of African Americans could aspire to. —IEEE Spectrum, 25 Oct. 2023

The work’s palette of browns, ochers, white and light blue is an exemplar of Taylor’s odd, frugal color. —Roberta Smith, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2023

In a fractured, algorithmic music industry, Swift is a final exemplar of monoculture, a figure recognizable by most. —Maria Sherman, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2023

And, in many ways, the defending champion Lions (3-0) are the exemplar for which his Crusaders are grasping. —Shane Hoffmann | , oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2023

After decades of insufficient and ineffective efforts to suppress a racist antigovernment fringe, the United States has become the exemplar of far-right extremism and terrorism. —Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from exemplum example

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

exemplar

noun

ex·​em·​plar ig-ˈzem-ˌplär 

-plər

1

: one that serves as a model or pattern

especially : an ideal model

2

: a typical example