except 1 of 3

preposition

ik-ˈsept How to pronounce except (audio)
variants also excepting
Definition of exceptnext
as in but
not including the store is open daily except Sundays

Synonyms & Similar Words

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except

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to object
to present an opposing opinion or argument I must except to your remark that there are no great novelists currently living

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to exclude
to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of we'll have to except members who haven't paid their club dues from voting in the election

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

except

3 of 3

conjunction

variants also excepting
as in only
if it were not for the fact that I'd go, except it's too far

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of except
Preposition
No one is allowed inside her home except those helping her, White's representative told Today. — Alaa Elassar, CNN, 25 May 2020 Under Supreme Court precedents related to the principles of separation of power, Congress – one branch of government – cannot remove an official in the executive branch – another branch of government – except by impeachment. — Stanley M. Brand, The Conversation, 22 May 2020
Verb
Reasonable excuses that were excepted at the old penalty level included confusion over the rules, health problems, a death in the family, and receiving incorrect advice from either the IRS or a professional advisor. — Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 The athletes then were swift and skilled, but generally unmuscled, Wilt excepted. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for except
Recent Examples of Synonyms for except
  1. but
  2. object
  3. exclude
  4. besides
  5. complain
  6. ban
  7. beside
  8. eliminate
Preposition
  • Normally, big job losses trigger massive searches for full-time jobs, but this crisis has been anything but normal.
    — Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 1 June 2020
  • Despite the pleas for calm, the nation seemed anything but as a fitful week drew to a close.
    — Robert Klemko, Washington Post, 30 May 2020
Definition of but
Verb
  • In the race for current at-large alderman Will White’s seat, at-large candidate Char Petersen objected to candidate David Smith.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Growers had strongly objected, fearing that the state could easily put a farm out of business without actual proof of contamination.
    — Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of object
Verb
  • Quarterly earnings for the company totaled 35 cents per share, excluding certain items, below a FactSet forecast of 42 cents per share.
    — Deena Zaidi,Darla Mercado, CFP®,Fred Imbert, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Police said this is the second-safest year in the subway in the last 15 years, excluding the pandemic.
    — Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of exclude
Preposition
  • But his death had many contributing factors besides being unable to breath while face down on the ground.
    — Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati.com, 2 June 2020
  • The airline’s crew members and ground services personnel are undergoing detailed health check-ups at regular intervals, besides wearing protective gear at all times.
    — Niharika Sharma, Quartz India, 31 May 2020
Definition of besides
Verb
  • Someone else even complained about the self-clean feature ruining their appliance.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2026
  • By July, morale among immigration officers had dipped below its nadir during the Biden Administration, with agents now complaining of being overextended, inundated with novice recruits, and undermined by inflammatory rhetoric from on high.
    — Francisco Cantú, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • Right now, California bans public money from funding political campaigns, except in a handful of cities like Berkeley and San Francisco.
    — Kiara Adams, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The First World War did cause the telephone industry to be nationalized for a year, but this didn’t make much difference for users, notwithstanding a decree in Indiana that banned speaking German on the phone.
    — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of ban
Preposition
  • Occupying a calm spot beside the Rutland River, the petroglyph is thought to have been carved about 1,700 years ago by the Arawak people.
    — James Rampton, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
  • One humanoid robot wearing a bandana collapsed in a heap on the cobbled route before engineers rushed in to repair it, while another tumbled down a flight of stairs and came to rest beside a rubbish bin.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of beside
Verb
  • The decision to suspend the football program eliminated last week’s set of games and another this week.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • At a hearing last week, as Assembly committee discussed measures including eliminating the $750 million cap, allowing above-the-line expenses, expanding eligibility, and extending the sunset date.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of eliminate

Phrases Containing except

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excels
except
excepted
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Cite this Entry

“Except.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/except. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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