exception

noun

ik-ˈsep-shən How to pronounce exception (audio)
Definition of exceptionnext
1
as in objection
a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent I take strong exception to your assessment of his singing ability

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in anomaly
something that is different from what is ordinary or expected her tardiness today is an exception; usually she's on time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 exception Basketball historians and longtime KU fans may recall a notable exception from the Williams era. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026 The exception tends to be District 15, where votes mix as those boundaries meet on the capital’s western edge. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 4 Nov. 2026 The Soros family was a major exception among the election's biggest donors, who overwhelmingly favored Republicans. — Spencer Kimball,garrett Downs,dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger,justin Papp, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026 There are exceptions to the show’s recurring feeling of contrivance. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exception
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exception
  1. objection
  2. anomaly
  3. complaint
  4. rarity
  5. question
  6. abnormality
Noun
  • De Niro is joined by Ariana DeBose, Helen Mirren, Emma Thompson, Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson, Vince Gilligan, Rosario Dawson, Dan Levy, Anne Hathaway and more in his objection to his work being high-tech feasting fodder.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Following an objection from the defense, Krol did not divulge any more about the content of what Ringquist had sent.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of objection
Noun
  • The Nature of Introspection The bigger, thornier question is whether anomaly detection should count as introspection.
    — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In these regions, the predominant ailments are HIV/AIDS, premature birth and birth trauma, congenital anomalies and injuries.
    — Emilee Flynn, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of anomaly
Noun
  • Guzman has an April 2009 conviction of driving drunk and causing injury to another person in Sacramento County, according to the complaint.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Concerts at the stadium have been suspended since 2024 following complaints from neighbors about excessive noise.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of complaint
Noun
  • Don’t back down from the rain Sam and Jasmin’s wedding day started out a bit drizzly, a rarity for early summer in Istanbul.
    — Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Though the average age of a lawmaker in Congress has gotten younger in recent years, being a Gen Z member of Congress remains a rarity.
    — Elena Moore, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of rarity
Noun
  • California voters face a crowded November ballot packed with questions on taxes, special elections and environmental rules.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The researchers ultimately want to turn more safety questions into measurable challenges.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of question
Noun
  • Even abnormalities detected on an MRI are not necessarily unique to MS.
    — Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The virus may also cause congenital abnormalities in newborn calves.
    — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of abnormality

Phrases Containing exception

Browse Nearby Words

excepting
exception
exceptionability
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exception.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exception. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of quondam

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All