exponential
adjective
ex·po·nen·tial
ˌek-spə-ˈnen(t)-shəl 
1
: of or relating to an exponent
2
: involving a variable in an exponent
10x is an exponential expression
3
: expressible or approximately expressible by an exponential function
especially
: characterized by or being an extremely rapid increase (as in size or extent)
an exponential growth rate
Examples of exponential in a Sentence
The business has experienced several years of exponential growth.
Prices have increased at an exponential rate.
103 is an exponential expression.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jones was drafted to the WNBA in 2016, spending her first seven years in the league with the Connecticut Sun before being traded to the New York Liberty in 2023, so she’s seen the exponential growth of the league first-hand.
—
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
The exponential moving average smooths price trends while weighting recent data more heavily than older prices.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
Instead of being dominated by matter and radiation, the Universe’s energy was inherent to space itself, leading to relentless, exponential expansion.
—Big Think, 24 Oct. 2025
The more components known as qubits are linked within a quantum computer, the greater its computational power can grow, in an exponential fashion.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exponential
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Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
The exponential moving average smooths price trends while weighting recent data more heavily than older prices.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
Instead of being dominated by matter and radiation, the Universe’s energy was inherent to space itself, leading to relentless, exponential expansion.
—Big Think, 24 Oct. 2025
The more components known as qubits are linked within a quantum computer, the greater its computational power can grow, in an exponential fashion.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exponential
Cite this Entry
“Exponential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exponential. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exponential
adjective
ex·po·nen·tial
ˌek-spə-ˈnen-chəl
: of, relating to, or involving an exponent
xⁿ is an exponential expression
Medical Definition
exponential
adjective
ex·po·nen·tial
ˌek-spə-ˈnen-chəl
: expressible or approximately expressible by an exponential function
an exponential growth rate
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