1
as in examples
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
as in models
someone of such unequaled perfection as to deserve imitation
few of history's heroes were quite the exemplars that generations of schoolteachers made them out to be
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in classics
the most perfect type or example
the paintings of the French painter Claude Monet are often regarded as exemplars of Impressionism
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 exemplars
The Dutch — forebears of our city and exemplars of cycling culture — require fast e-bikes to be licensed and insured as mopeds.
—
Sameer Butt, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
These warblers now join Amazonian butterflies, cichlid fish in Africa, as well as our own hominid lineage, as exemplars of this process of evolutionary sharing.
—David Toews, The Conversation, 11 Dec. 2025
One of the exemplars of the Rams’ depth at the position has been reserve right tackle Warren McClendon Jr.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 4 Dec. 2025
And yet, despite all of this, the Gateses have become exemplars for a kind of quaint-seeming, Andrew Carnegie–esque model of wealth, intent on returning their extraordinary resources to society.
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 18 Nov. 2025
Intricate—and literally time-consuming—works of moving art of this caliber are seldom seen outside elite museums, where 18th-century exemplars often sit within glass vitrines.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2025
As far as exemplars go, those inclined to offer wardrobe support could find a better follow and a better way.
—Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025
Young athletes at the Pop Warner, high school and college levels often look to NFL players as exemplars of competitive conduct.
—Ron Mix, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
To address this issue, leaders can clearly communicate expectations regarding responsiveness and serve as exemplars of healthy work habits.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Sameer Butt, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
These warblers now join Amazonian butterflies, cichlid fish in Africa, as well as our own hominid lineage, as exemplars of this process of evolutionary sharing.
—David Toews, The Conversation, 11 Dec. 2025
One of the exemplars of the Rams’ depth at the position has been reserve right tackle Warren McClendon Jr.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 4 Dec. 2025
And yet, despite all of this, the Gateses have become exemplars for a kind of quaint-seeming, Andrew Carnegie–esque model of wealth, intent on returning their extraordinary resources to society.
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 18 Nov. 2025
Intricate—and literally time-consuming—works of moving art of this caliber are seldom seen outside elite museums, where 18th-century exemplars often sit within glass vitrines.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2025
As far as exemplars go, those inclined to offer wardrobe support could find a better follow and a better way.
—Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025
Young athletes at the Pop Warner, high school and college levels often look to NFL players as exemplars of competitive conduct.
—Ron Mix, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
To address this issue, leaders can clearly communicate expectations regarding responsiveness and serve as exemplars of healthy work habits.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exemplars
Noun
-
Key Takeaways Running, cycling, HIIT, and jumping rope are all examples of cardio exercise proven to improve cholesterol profiles.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Strangely some of the most famous examples are of accountants and insurance salesman.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Unitree’s humanoids are powered by its proprietary AI models and feature quick-swappable batteries, depth perception systems, and payload capacities suitable for inspection and manipulation tasks.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Unlike other models, the gel fibers offer a bounce-back effect that allows your pillows to keep their fluffy shape for an even longer lifespan.—
Megan Schaltegger,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Publix has their bakery classics that never disappoint—cookie cake and Key lime pie for us always are at the top of lists.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Screenings take place on select days throughout the year, featuring a range of movie classics at the historic Aurora Fox Arts Center.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Needham compiled its list by polling researchers for their ideas about which stocks would outperform in 2026.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Let my trusty spreadsheet join the parade of ideas on splitting up California.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Other producers have collaborated to figure out how to prevent flaws without compromising their ideals.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The belief that every student is capable of this kind of thinking, and deserves to experience it, was one of the noblest ideals of democratic education.—
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For instance, there is no reason to fear that Canadian, German, or Japanese nuclear weapons would end up in the hands of rogue states or terrorist organizations; all three are paragons of responsibility, state capacity, and domestic stability.—
Moritz S. Graefrath,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Nov. 2025
-
What are these paragons of stereotypical gendered behavior to do but exorcise a demon, and embrace an opportunity for personal growth in the process?—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The collection is built around a fascination of the forest, its mystery, beauty, and the sublime forces of nature, its perfections and imperfections.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
On the choruses, SZA’s voice floats in from the back, sharing manifestations and advice.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Gold is a color associated with luxury, luminosity, and celebration—ideal for the holidays and all your New Year manifestations.—
Andrea Carbajal,
Glamour,
13 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exemplars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exemplars. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
