exemplary

adjective

ig-ˈzem-plə-rē How to pronounce exemplary (audio)
Definition of exemplarynext
1
as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated as a hospital volunteer you have given exemplary service to your community

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in warning
serving as or offering a warning armies have traditionally used public execution as an exemplary punishment for the crime of desertion

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 exemplary In 2023, Leslie Van Houten was granted parole and released after holding what many described as an exemplary record for decades behind bars. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 Woll’s performance was exemplary in his first career start with the Flyers, making 41 saves. — Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Jesse Plemons is superb as his mysterious Kenny becomes a key player in all this, and there is also exemplary work from Emma D’Arcy as Lina, Digger’s ever-faithful assistant, and Sophie Wilde who watches over the action with a keen eye. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026 The Elite 16 award is the SIAC’s highest academic achievement honor and is presented to student-athletes who demonstrate exemplary performance in athletics and the classroom. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exemplary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exemplary
  1. classic
  2. warning
  3. excellent
  4. punitive
  5. superb
  6. cautionary
  7. exceptional
  8. perfect
Adjective
  • The One-All has retro looks too, with a whiff of classic speedboat mixed with a dose of sixties wind-in-the hair roadster.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Luckily, some of the season’s best new trends and classic styles are on sale right now on Amazon.
    — Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of classic
Adjective
  • The bureau also will post more warning notices at 750 livestock sale facilities and review other potential changes to federal regulations.
    — SCOTT SONNER, Star Tribune, 27 July 2021
  • In response, statistical authorities around the world could do little but issue warning press releases.
    — Andrew Whitby, Time, 17 Apr. 2020
Definition of warning
Adjective
  • Bold from brown butter and balsamic vinegar and bright from lemon, the crunchy topping is an excellent foil to the sweetness of roasted squash.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Their bench even has some guys providing excellent backup options.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • In recent years, affirmative litigation has become an essential tool for defending against punitive federal policy and recovering public funds, Pines and others said.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Trump has slapped tariffs on the Brazilian economy and punitive sanctions on Alexandre de Moraes, the chief justice most heavily involved in the prosecution of Jair Bolsonaro.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of punitive
Adjective
  • La Dame utilizes some ingredients only seen here, such as France’s superb Normandy butter.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
  • His ability to capture Haymitch’s warmth and charm and then weave that into the rage and heartbreak the Hunger Games sparks is superb.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of superb
Adjective
  • The song is a cautionary tale about a brothel in New Orleans known for ruining many poor girls.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The cautionary tales of child stardom, from Judy Garland to Britney Spears, have found a new breeding ground online.
    — Nancy Jo Sales, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of cautionary
Adjective
  • Preservation had traditionally focused only on exceptional buildings, and protected them by more or less freezing them in place.
    — Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Proton offers exceptional cybersecurity (partially because it’s based in Switzerland, which has very strict data-protection laws).
    — Oscar Hartzog, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • Over the course of this year, Hoffman has become the chief inquisitor of Griffin’s story of abuse during a superficially perfect childhood in Amarillo, Texas.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The resort boasts three different golf courses, including an Executive Course with nine holes, perfect for those looking to squeeze in a quick game.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of perfect

Browse Nearby Words

exemplars
exemplary
exemplification
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Exemplary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exemplary. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All