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
Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Fire trucks, ambulances and police vehicles are exempt, but the support vehicles that enable emergency response — such as trucks that tow fuel to water pumps — are not.
—Kimberly Thorner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
City News Service, Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
In response to that criticism, California leaders last year created a carve out that exempts certain projects in urban areas from needing a CEQA review to move forward.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 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
Manufacturers and gun shops could sell existing inventory to licensed out-of-state buyers or to those exempt from the ban, including prison officials, nuclear facility security personnel, members of the state or federal National Guard and current and former law enforcement officers.
—Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Fire trucks, ambulances and police vehicles are exempt, but the support vehicles that enable emergency response — such as trucks that tow fuel to water pumps — are not.
—Kimberly Thorner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
Housing officials have recommended changes to ULA, which includes exempting new projects from paying the tax, and making sure other sources of funds are not impacted by the rules set forth by the measure, among other things.
—City News Service, Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
In response to that criticism, California leaders last year created a carve out that exempts certain projects in urban areas from needing a CEQA review to move forward.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 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 11 Apr. 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
