1
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

Relevance
2
3

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

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 exemplar Yet Malick, though a living exemplar of the ideal of the auteur, has benefitted less from this phenomenon than other directors of his generation and calibre. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025 Bellwether has synthesized a database of simulated reference photos to use as exemplars. Eric Siegel, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 Dangerous sport, in its best exemplars — in, say, mountain climbing or boxing or bicycle stage racing — provides one avenue for such self-affirmation by challenging one’s whole self at the limits of one’s being. Big Think, 10 Jan. 2025 Some will be held up as exemplars of how higher education can be a valuable and valued public good. David Rosowsky, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exemplar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exemplar
Noun
  • For example, many teachers now spend time detecting whether students use ChatGPT for homework, while other workers review AI output quality or attempt to craft effective prompts.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2025
  • This year, for example, the company will have Olympians like Simone Biles and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone participating, with The Voice winner Gina Miles performing the national anthem.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Across the board, all models support low-latency gaming modes (ranging from 105ms to 120ms with Nothing OS), IP55 dust and water resistance (except Buds 2a with IP54), and fast charging.
    Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The contemporary building will be located on the Intracoastal Waterway in the heart America’s Yachting capital, on Fort Lauderdale Beach near Bahia Mar (Riva’s first 1969 composite model was named the Bahia Mar 20).
    Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This is a club, as the Joy Division classic goes, that is meant to fall apart when Easter arrives.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Glenn’s silver-screen legacy includes small parts in genuine classics like Nashville (1975) and Apocalypse Now (1979) to major roles in The Right Stuff (1983), The Hunt for Red October (1990), and The Bourne Ultimatum (2007).
    Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Lightning struck when this idea converged with advancements in the potential for LLMs to automate customer service.
    William Jones, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • This migration of ideas is accompanied by a migration of people.
    Sarah Kreps, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • On May 2, Venus will join Neptune in Aries, adding a dreamy, almost ethereal quality to your love life — try not to get swept up in ideals and fantasies.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • For many, financial security is becoming more important than aligning every purchase with environmental ideals.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Most of it involves the two men bantering (and occasionally bickering) behind the wheel in their current incarnations and the occasional unexpected back-seat cameo (the most memorable one being producer Adler, who financed and directed their first film).
    Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Gina Joseph, who was chief strategy officer at VentureBeat and GamesBeat, now serves as CEO for the latter’s new incarnation, which is keeping the same name.
    Kaare Eriksen, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Are these conflicting phrases truly what's in the review — or a manifestation of Carmy's (White) anxiety?
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The paradox is that these manifestations, on the contrary, bring Ukraine closer to its common enemy, as in Russia, homophobia is flourishing with incredible force right now.
    Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Financial literacy starts with curiosity, not perfection.
    Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder causes people to fixate on consistency or perfection.
    Heidi Moawad, MD, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exemplar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exemplar. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!