the exception rather than the rule

noun phrase

: not common or usual : not often done, seen, or happening : rare

Friendly customer service seems to be the exception rather than the rule nowadays.

Examples of the exception rather than the rule in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Detractors will undoubtedly argue that his peak 2023-24 season, having joined in 2021, is now regarded as the exception rather than the rule across five years in which Bailey could not consistently reach the heights his talent had promised. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Indeed, health insurance coverage for elective egg freezing is still the exception rather than the rule, Melfi said. — Annie Nova, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026

Consumer businesses have been the exception rather than the rule. — Gustaf Lundberg Toresson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

But this success appears to be the exception rather than the rule. — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Rhymes for the exception rather than the rule

• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool
• guayule
• lobule
• misrule
• preschool
• pustule
• whirlpool