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
Michelle Fox, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
And there is always and everywhere a tendency to believe in nonexistent mandates and a tendency to believe that your political circumstances are exempt from the normal vicissitudes of politics and public opinion.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
But the statute exempts defamation claims from that provision, in a nod to free expression.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 Nov. 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
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Adjective
Municipal bonds are favored by wealthy investors since the income earned is free of federal tax and, if the holder lives within the state in which the bond is issued, exempt from state tax.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
And there is always and everywhere a tendency to believe in nonexistent mandates and a tendency to believe that your political circumstances are exempt from the normal vicissitudes of politics and public opinion.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
Hungary offers a number of incentives, including exempting women with four or more children from paying income tax, but is still struggling to coax people to have kids.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
But the statute exempts defamation claims from that provision, in a nod to free expression.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 Nov. 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 7 Nov. 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?
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