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as in example
one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like the village's Congregational church could serve as an exemplar of the white clapboard church with a steeple that is a fixture in old New England towns

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun exemplar differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of exemplar are example, ideal, model, and pattern. While all these words mean "someone or something set before one for guidance or imitation," exemplar suggests either a faultless example to be emulated or a perfect typification.

cited Joan of Arc as the exemplar of courage

Where would example be a reasonable alternative to exemplar?

While the synonyms example and exemplar are close in meaning, example applies to a person to be imitated or in some contexts on no account to be imitated but to be regarded as a warning.

children tend to follow the example of their parents

When is ideal a more appropriate choice than exemplar?

Although the words ideal and exemplar have much in common, ideal implies the best possible exemplification either in reality or in conception.

never found a job that matched his ideal

When would model be a good substitute for exemplar?

The synonyms model and exemplar are sometimes interchangeable, but model applies to something taken or proposed as worthy of imitation.

a decor that is a model of good taste

When is it sensible to use pattern instead of exemplar?

The words pattern and exemplar can be used in similar contexts, but pattern suggests a clear and detailed archetype or prototype.

American industry set a pattern for others to follow

Examples of exemplar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Like Obama, Bunche aspired to be an exemplar of Black excellence in the United States, but the contradictions that that desire produced could never be synthesized with his dream of an equitable and just world order. Zachariah Mampilly, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023 One Civil War-era photographer Charles Eisenmann took pictures of performers known as Circassian Beauties, women supposedly from the Caucasus, displaying them as exemplars of pure whiteness. Emmanuel Iduma, ARTnews.com, 16 Sep. 2024 Though initiatives like `Raymond’s Split Second Fitness Centre in Louisiana serve as an almost miraculous and life-affirming exemplar of what is possible, one insurmountable access barrier prevails – geography. Gus Alexiou, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024 Back then, the Orioles’ announcers Ernie Harwell and Chuck Thompson were exemplars of civility as practiced in the national pastime. Kenneth Lasson, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exemplar 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exemplar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near exemplar

Cite this Entry

“Exemplar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exemplar. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.

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