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
John Towfighi, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
Most diplomatic and official visas will be exempt from the pause.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025
The announcement came more than three months after Trump temporarily exempted most electronics from his administration’s most onerous tariffs.
—Mae Anderson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 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
New York — The global gold market has been thrown into fresh turmoil after a US government agency indicated that bullion would not be exempt from tariffs.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
Most diplomatic and official visas will be exempt from the pause.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
The Trump administration previously exempted tariffs on Japanese automobiles and auto parts, with tariffs on car imports coming down from 27.5% to 15%, which is the overall tariff rate on most imports from Japan.
—Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025
The announcement came more than three months after Trump temporarily exempted most electronics from his administration’s most onerous tariffs.
—Mae Anderson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 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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