exemplary
adjective
ex·em·pla·ry
ig-ˈzem-plə-rē 
1
a
: deserving imitation : commendable
his courage was exemplary
also
: deserving imitation because of excellence
they serve exemplary pastries —
G. V. Higgins
G. V. Higgins
b
: serving as a pattern
2
: serving as an example, instance, or illustration
this story is exemplary of her style
3
: serving as a warning : monitory
given an exemplary punishment
Examples of exemplary in a Sentence
Each cantina has its own style, but almost all of them share several key traits: uniformed waiters offering exemplary service, a trio of musicians strolling from table to table playing songs on request, lots of men playing dominoes, plenty of good tequila and cold beer, and tasty home-cooked botanas (snacks) served free with each round of drinks.
—Chris Humphrey, National Geographic Traveler, September 2008
A few Hollywood couples stayed hitched—Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, 50 years and counting—but such exemplary marriages had less entertainment value than the connubial career of, say, Elizabeth Taylor, eight times wed and divorced, including two volatile turns with Richard Burton.
—Richard Corliss, Time, 28 Jan. 2008
Among the most important factors that distinguished the best Civil War regiments from the mediocre ones were the quality and exemplary courage of their officers.
—James M. McPherson, New York Review of Books, 6 Oct. 2005
as a hospital volunteer you have given exemplary service to your community
armies have traditionally used public execution as an exemplary punishment for the crime of desertion
Chris Humphrey, National Geographic Traveler, September 2008
A few Hollywood couples stayed hitched—Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, 50 years and counting—but such exemplary marriages had less entertainment value than the connubial career of, say, Elizabeth Taylor, eight times wed and divorced, including two volatile turns with Richard Burton.
—Richard Corliss, Time, 28 Jan. 2008
Among the most important factors that distinguished the best Civil War regiments from the mediocre ones were the quality and exemplary courage of their officers.
—James M. McPherson, New York Review of Books, 6 Oct. 2005
as a hospital volunteer you have given exemplary service to your community
armies have traditionally used public execution as an exemplary punishment for the crime of desertion
Recent Examples on the Web
Just 39 miles north of New York City and set on 1.7 acres in a sunny clearing at the end of a tree-shaded drive sits an exemplary International Style glass pavilion with views of the Hudson River from every room.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 15 May 2025
Rob Copland received the Officer of the Year Award from American Legion Post 57 in recognition of his exemplary service with the Elgin Police Department and his years of service in the U.S. Navy Reserve, according to a social media post.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
The case pioneered a way of dealing with victims of child abuse that still serves as an exemplary model today.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025
Yes, Owens deserves our praise for not only an exemplary career in journalism, but for his principled stance against the Trump administration’s attack on First Amendment rights.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for exemplary
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Tori Latham, Robb Report, 15 May 2025
Rob Copland received the Officer of the Year Award from American Legion Post 57 in recognition of his exemplary service with the Elgin Police Department and his years of service in the U.S. Navy Reserve, according to a social media post.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
The case pioneered a way of dealing with victims of child abuse that still serves as an exemplary model today.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025
Yes, Owens deserves our praise for not only an exemplary career in journalism, but for his principled stance against the Trump administration’s attack on First Amendment rights.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for exemplary
Cite this Entry
“Exemplary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exemplary. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exemplary
adjective
ex·em·pla·ry
ig-ˈzem-plə-rē
: deserving to be imitated : commendable
exemplary behavior
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