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
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 2026
House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, said on Wednesday that the measure would give lawmakers broad authority to raise taxes on goods and services that are currently exempt.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Idaho Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
The idea was rejected by council members and environmentalists alike, and now the city is working to pass legislation to exempt all of Mission Bay Park from the Surplus Lands Act, which requires local governments to promote affordable housing on unneeded property.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
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
Because college football players can’t unionize and bargain rules, anti-tampering and other prohibitions aren’t exempt from antitrust scrutiny and can be challenged as unreasonable restraints on trade and price-fixing schemes.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 2026
House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, said on Wednesday that the measure would give lawmakers broad authority to raise taxes on goods and services that are currently exempt.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
However, the committee exempted some big spenders from the extra cut, including the Idaho State Police, Medicaid, and public schools.
—Idaho Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
The idea was rejected by council members and environmentalists alike, and now the city is working to pass legislation to exempt all of Mission Bay Park from the Surplus Lands Act, which requires local governments to promote affordable housing on unneeded property.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
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 13 Mar. 2026.
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
