1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
an exceptional amount of snow fell in March
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind
a special school for exceptional children
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exceptional
The facilitators often have exceptional literary resumes; many are novelists and hold PhDs in literature.
—
Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Yan Diomande has been exceptional and has evolved at a ridiculous speed.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
But clear skies facilitated exceptional observations.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
That and the exceptional beaches, views and experiences.
—Hollie Clemence, TheWeek, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exceptional
Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Yan Diomande has been exceptional and has evolved at a ridiculous speed.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
But clear skies facilitated exceptional observations.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
That and the exceptional beaches, views and experiences.
—Hollie Clemence, TheWeek, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exceptional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exceptional
Adjective
-
Cheng traces how, with the help of Kim’s son Jong Il and a distant uncle who was once a pastor, Kim borrowed the tactics of religion to solidify extraordinary psychological control over an entire population.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The second-degree murder charge, officially classified as a class 2 felony with an extraordinary risk of harm, carries an average prison sentence of 17 years, according to nonpartisan legislative analysts.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
The organization analyzed actuarial figures from the Social Security Administration and found that as many as 400,000 poor and disabled people and indigent older people could have their support cut or eliminated.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
There are buckets of disabled mobile phones.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Cold, calculating and highly intelligent, Dedra saw the rebellion coming when none of her other peers did.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
-
Here, intelligent driving features are ubiquitous, even in affordable models.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Wednesday’s game, in particular, ended in extremely bizarre fashion with Xavier Edwards turning an unusual unassisted double play with the bases loaded and Freddie Freeman at the plate.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In an unusual development, the bank published a range of forecasts given the geopolitical uncertainties.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In Caveat, Isaac (Johnny French) and Olga (Leila Sykes) are both recovering from traumatic events that have left them impaired — him an amnesiac, her intermittently catatonic.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed by former President Joe Biden in 2021, directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require new vehicles to include technology that can detect impaired driving and stop a car if something is wrong.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Perhaps clever legal strategies might find ways to meet the justices’ new standards, or perhaps experts might come up with new metrics to mathematically prove discrimination, even when intent is vague.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
Niko Medved is very smart, very clever at using that zone.—
Charley Walters,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
This routine isn’t exactly unique.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 May 2026
-
Cascading varieties have a unique habit, with some stems growing upward, and others growing out and slightly down.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Through simple text and brilliant animal illustrations reminiscent of Eric Carle’s finest, Caldecott honoree Christian Robinson presents a lovely and nuanced portrait of dads across the animal kingdom, from lions to seahorses to humans.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
As the rodeo-ropin’ wife to Jake Gyllenhaal’s Jack Twist, Hathaway landed her first blush with a world-class filmmaker but a fraction of the notices that her equally brilliant peers Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams, and Gyllenhaal received.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exceptional. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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