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
Synonyms
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
Students in grades 7-12 (ages 13 and older) can submit exemplary visual artwork to the nation's longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens.
—Deb Harvell, arkansasonline.com, 13 Oct. 2024
In terms of inequality and social mobility, the 1960s often being exemplary in the inequality literature for high tax rates and low official inequality numbers, African Americans and women were still treated as second-grade citizens, not to even mention any other minority.
—Vuk Vukovic, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024
Roe is requesting monetary and/or compensatory damages and punitive damages/exemplary damages.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 4 Oct. 2024
Even with its exemplary engineering and build quality, there are a few things to look out for with the original iteration of the NSX.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exemplary 
Deb Harvell, arkansasonline.com, 13 Oct. 2024
In terms of inequality and social mobility, the 1960s often being exemplary in the inequality literature for high tax rates and low official inequality numbers, African Americans and women were still treated as second-grade citizens, not to even mention any other minority.
—Vuk Vukovic, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024
Roe is requesting monetary and/or compensatory damages and punitive damages/exemplary damages.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 4 Oct. 2024
Even with its exemplary engineering and build quality, there are a few things to look out for with the original iteration of the NSX.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exemplary
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exemplary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near exemplary
Cite this Entry
“Exemplary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exemplary. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exemplary
adjective
ex·em·pla·ry
ig-ˈzem-plə-rē
: deserving to be imitated : commendable
exemplary behavior
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