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
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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
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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
In a country ranked as one of the most corrupt in Asia, these two are seen as not only exemplars of integrity but also leaders who try to bring out honesty in others.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 15 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
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
In a country ranked as one of the most corrupt in Asia, these two are seen as not only exemplars of integrity but also leaders who try to bring out honesty in others.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 15 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exemplars
Noun
-
If travel, coursework, or a belief debate stirs friction, skip arguing about theory in favor of grounding the talk with real-life examples.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Other examples can be seen in the deliberate way Flick sprung to Raphinha’s defence back in December, taking up the topic of the Brazilian’s lack of individual recognition despite not having been asked about it.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The proliferation of letters in the New Testament is also typical of second-century literary activity; letters written as rhetorical models, using the epistolary form as an intimate vehicle for argument, are everywhere in the later period.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Earlier in April, Lenovo changed the prices of its lower-tier Legion Go 2 models.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
When temperatures drop, turn to comfort-food classics (like breaded or smothered pork chops) and serve them with one of our favorite hearty mashed potato recipes.—
Wini Moranville,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Among the vast range of works are classics, such as Sir John Everett Millais’ Ophelia to Henry Moore’s moving sculpture.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Luna opposes generous Jupiter in your 3rd House of Dialogue, so big ideas can be explained in a way that makes sense to more people than usual.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The grocery chain is known for thinking outside the box with new flavors, ingredients, and meal ideas—some that may sound a little funky at first, but somehow always work.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the final season of Handmaid’s, Lydia grew increasingly disillusioned by the hypocrisy of the ruling class of Commanders, who do not live up to Gilead’s religious ideals.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Our ideals have been bastardized.—
William Mersey,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Kathleen Hanna fronted punk greats Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, two bands that existed at different times in the evolving (but still sexist) conversation about women and their place in culture, with the musicians often serving as paragons of feminist critique and anguish.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
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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
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Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.—
Jessie Opoien,
jsonline.com,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Its early manifestations frequently surface in other clinics.—
Sarah Berg,
STAT,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exemplars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exemplars. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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