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
Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
Accessories aren’t exempt from the conversation, as the quiet-no-more approach seen in many collections trickled down to shoes, bags and more.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
John Liu, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
The second version of the bill was rewritten to address those concerns, and now a formal Miranda reading — which requires probable cause for a crime — exempts police from being subject to the new law.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 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
Federal law enforcement agencies are exempt from furloughs during the government shutdown that started October 1.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
Accessories aren’t exempt from the conversation, as the quiet-no-more approach seen in many collections trickled down to shoes, bags and more.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
The move came after American officials told the Dutch government that Zhang would likely have to be replaced if the company was to be exempted from the US list of companies considered threats to national security or foreign policy interests, a court document published Tuesday revealed.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
The second version of the bill was rewritten to address those concerns, and now a formal Miranda reading — which requires probable cause for a crime — exempts police from being subject to the new law.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 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