EXCEPTIONAL Synonyms: 247 Similar and Opposite Words

exceptional

adjective

ik-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəl

Definition of exceptional

as in extraordinary

being out of the ordinary an exceptional amount of snow fell in March

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in disabled

deprived of the power to perform one or more natural bodily activities her experience working with exceptional children was rewarding and inspiring

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in intelligent

having or showing quickness of mind a special school for exceptional children

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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 exceptional Now, in an even darker and more volatile second season, audiences are reentering this world, with a very different Eddie (an exceptional Theo James) at the center. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026 Moreover, the same tree’s fruit may be lackluster in one location and exceptional in another. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Insulet combines exclusive product differentiation, massive Type 2 diabetes market expansion, and exceptional recurring revenue economics. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026 The best commerce experience may eventually feel less like browsing a digital shelf and more like interacting with an exceptional salesperson, one who understands the context, eliminates irrelevant options and makes a complex choice feel simple. — Anastasia Shtompel, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exceptional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exceptional

Adjective

The Tigers repeatedly found explosive gains through the air, some created not by an extraordinary throw but by a defensive breakdown.

— Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026
The adventure experts at EYOS Expeditions have curated a new journey that combines a deep-water expedition with all the extraordinary wonders of Alaska’s wilderness.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of extraordinary

Adjective

Anthropic this week detailed how its model Claude is helping the company to develop the next, more intelligent version of itself.

— Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
The suspect was described by Palencia as an intelligent student and active taekwondo practitioner.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of intelligent

Adjective

The move is unusual due to the more than six-month-long conflict between Iran and the United States and no sign that agreements to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or return to talks on Iran's nuclear program are close.

— September 18, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
The team also needed to confirm that the unusual structures were genuine electron behavior rather than artifacts created by the microscope.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

That’s where cognition becomes impaired, muscle contraction becomes impaired, and metabolism actually slows.

— Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Overdosing on the drug can cause extreme drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, decreased reflexes, respiratory depression, coma and possible death.

— Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of impaired

Adjective

But the clever props design (Bruce Dickinson and Anna Kraus) fills in any shoestring gaps.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Mathematicians have cooked up all sorts of clever error-correcting codes (not all based on sphere packing) for varied applications.

— Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of clever

Adjective

Major European partners are on board as well, including Xilam, pushing French high-end, unique animation series beyond its borders.

— Kevin Giraud, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
The comedic play, which is set at a silent retreat, has the unique convention of having the majority of its characters barely speak, and rather rely on their physicality.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

Baseball fans have long marveled at how the Dominican Republic, a tiny island nation with a population akin to Ohio, has produced so many brilliant players — roughly 10% of the major league.

— Tracy Weber, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2026
Punk For seven brilliant years in the nineties, the Washington punk-rock band Bikini Kill kicked up a ruckus as pioneers of the riot-grrrl movement.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026