1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
an exceptional amount of snow fell in March
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind
a special school for exceptional children
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exceptional
The scale of the operation is exceptional.
—
Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2026
England have an exceptional spine, and Declan Rice and Harry Kane have been two of the best players in the world for the last few years.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 16 June 2026
An unexpected discovery Diamond is valued in advanced technology because of its exceptional hardness, optical properties, and thermal conductivity (Tc).
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026
Wrapped inside a joyful theatrical adventure, with Tom Fletcher’s exceptional score at its heart, is a story about finding home, family and community in unexpected places.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for exceptional
Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2026
England have an exceptional spine, and Declan Rice and Harry Kane have been two of the best players in the world for the last few years.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 16 June 2026
An unexpected discovery Diamond is valued in advanced technology because of its exceptional hardness, optical properties, and thermal conductivity (Tc).
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026
Wrapped inside a joyful theatrical adventure, with Tom Fletcher’s exceptional score at its heart, is a story about finding home, family and community in unexpected places.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for exceptional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exceptional
Adjective
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Rice and Elliot Anderson have impressive engines but will carry an extraordinary burden throughout the tournament and need to stay on top of their game and at full intensity throughout.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Artificial intelligence has changed a whole lot in the past few years because people have started really becoming aware of the extraordinary progress and the extraordinary risks that go with it.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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The department’s special education office ensures states comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which guarantees access to education for disabled students.—
Alia Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
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For example, states are weighing cuts to in-home care, a change that could mean the difference between a disabled child being able to live with their parents or being forced to move to a residential care facility.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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In an age of intelligent machines, who gets to decide what is orthodox remains one of the most important questions a free society can ask.—
Joseph Andrew,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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Evangeline is an incredibly intelligent, talented, and heart-centered badass with the perfect voice for the project.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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French authorities said unusual betting patterns were detected around a yellow card Wahi received in a Ligue 1 match while playing for Nice last month.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
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The bar can do classic and pretty, strong and aromatic, familiar and unusual in the same round.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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Beyond impaired sleep and a bad morning after, Zhou underscores that alcohol functions as a muscle relaxant.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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Symptoms include muscle cramps, extreme fatigue, impaired performance, headache, irritability, nausea, dizziness, cramping and dehydration.—
Dorany Pineda,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
The trouble is that the clever work is the part the market actually values.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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Perspective widens as the intuitive Moon moves through your 9th House of Exploration, sextiling clever Mercury in your 11th House of Friendship.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
His quick wit, punchy puns and unique voice came through even on the page, and NBC took notice.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
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Through advanced genetic sequencing, chemotherapy and the expertise of a large medical team, doctors were able to identify a treatment approach tailored to Hadley's unique tumor.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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And these regions are brilliant.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
14 June 2026
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With first-half injury time winding down, Malik Tillman weighted a long pass to a streaking Balogun, who held up to create space and fired a brilliant shot into the far top corner.—
Greg Beacham,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exceptional. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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