ex·empt
ig-ˈzem(p)t 
1
: free or released from some liability or requirement to which others are subject
was exempt from jury duty
the estate was exempt from taxes
2
obsolete
: set apart
exempted; exempting; exempts
: to release or deliver from some liability or requirement to which others are subject
exempted from military service
: one exempted or freed from duty
Examples of exempt in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nicole Acosta, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Some agencies, including the FBI, are exempt from a law requiring federal agencies to bargain with labor organizations over employment matters.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
The optimism was fueled, in part, on reports that China was looking into exempting some American goods from its 125 percent tariff.
—Kevin Granville, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Adam Baum, The Enquirer, 20 July 2022
The electric-car maker clashed with Fremont officials last month over whether its factory was an essential business exempt from shutdown orders.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for exempt
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.
Adjective
The powerful and rich are not exempt from being held responsible for their actions.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Some agencies, including the FBI, are exempt from a law requiring federal agencies to bargain with labor organizations over employment matters.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
The bitcoin price climbed as gold fell in the aftermath claims China is considering exempting some goods from U.S. tariffs.
—Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
The optimism was fueled, in part, on reports that China was looking into exempting some American goods from its 125 percent tariff.
—Kevin Granville, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
One additional player may be added to each draw as a special exempt.
—Adam Baum, The Enquirer, 20 July 2022
The electric-car maker clashed with Fremont officials last month over whether its factory was an essential business exempt from shutdown orders.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for exempt
Cite this Entry
“Exempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exempt. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exempt
1 of 2 adjective
ex·empt
ig-ˈzem(p)t
: free or released from some requirement that others must meet or deal with
exempt
2 of 2 verb
: to make exempt
Legal Definition
exempt
1 of 2 adjective
ex·empt
ig-ˈzempt
: free or released from some obligation or duty to which others are subject : not subject or liable
certain properties are declared to be exempt and cannot be taken by a person's creditors—J. H. Williamson
J. H. Williamsonexempt
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to release or exclude from some liability (as in taxation), obligation, or duty to which others are subject
exempts the income of a spendthrift trust—W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.
W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share