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

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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

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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 The exceptions will be only single visits to Kaseya Center by Boston, Cleveland and New York, and only single games in Chicago, Indiana and Toronto. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026 International documentaries rarely succeed in securing an Academy Award nomination, but there are exceptions. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026 Most days, with a handful of exceptions, Sauls has missed one or two and Zvada has missed none. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 But in reality, leaders who find business success in the middle of their careers, like Garner, are more of the rule than the exception. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 13 Aug. 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
  • Fortunately, Gorbachev would drop his objections to SDI in time for both men to sign a landmark treaty in 1987 that abolished all intermediate range nuclear arms in Europe and made the entire world safer.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • One man was quick enough to grab his ankle and let out a firm objection, but the foot slipped free from the boot and the houndsman was gone into the tight tunnel full of frantic dogs and furious bear.
    — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of objection
Noun
  • Agencies are moving fast toward letting AI agents query government data directly; not just render dashboards for humans to read, but retrieve records, summarize case files and flag anomalies on their own.
    — Gopichand Mannava, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Pettigrew said the object came into view in April 2015 and resembles an anomaly seen in photographs taken in the months and years after Earhart's disappearance.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of anomaly
Noun
  • By doing it this way, the kids had to put some thought into which items meant the most to them, and there were no complaints afterward.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Arulampalam, who knew nothing of the campaign, received complaints from residents Monday and on Tuesday the citation was given with orders to clean up.
    — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of complaint
Noun
  • Race contestants could buy gas at a now-enviable 15 cents a gallon, but filling stations were a rarity.
    — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Improv was encouraged by Park, a rarity for a show like Sterling Point.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of rarity
Noun
  • That arrangement coincided with an extended period with no group output as members prioritised solo careers, and subsquent fan frustration and widespread questions about the future of the group.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Six weeks after Beloozerov’s funeral, the FBI peppered Marina with questions during an hourslong interview at the agency’s field office in Washington.
    — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of question
Noun
  • Some of the first signs could be abnormalities in your liver tests.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Hamberger Medical reported a high level of agreement between the two systems when checking for AFib and other rhythm abnormalities.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of abnormality

Phrases Containing exception

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excepting
exception
exceptionability
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Cite this Entry

“Exception.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exception. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of exception for Spanish Speakers

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