UNEXCEPTIONAL Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

unexceptional

adjective

ˌən-ik-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəl

Definition of unexceptional

as in normal

being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events the physicist, now regarded as one of the brightest minds in science, was an unexceptional student as a child

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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 unexceptional That’s why nominating another batch of respectable but unexceptional candidates—the preference of the party’s DC establishment—could be deadly. — Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 16 Feb. 2026 Dad had always told me his father was a naval officer who'd had an unexceptional career and died suddenly in a traffic accident. — CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025 Meanwhile, Young and the Panthers' offense has been unexceptional through three quarters, but did enough to take a 13-3 lead into the fourth quarter. — Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025 The site includes several unexceptional museums housed in palaces, but two must-see attractions are the Mosque of Mohammed Ali and the Gawhara Terrace for a fantastic view over Cairo. — Nada El Sawy, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for unexceptional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unexceptional

Adjective

With stimulus checks gone and student loan payments back, Maggiulli suggests the drop may partly be a return to normal.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
In both cases, people with pre-existing hypertension experienced bigger drops in systolic and diastolic pressure than those with normal blood pressure.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of normal

Adjective

Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, and early withdrawals may face penalties unless they’re used for qualifying expenses such as education or a first home, so families should review the tax rules before deciding how to use the money.

— Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
The filmmakers bill it as a film less about cracking a murder than about the ordinary days that come after a devastating loss.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of ordinary

Adjective

The Sagittarius Moon opposes Uranus, making a public responsibility, schedule, or household plan less predictable than usual.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
This is Kerry’s usual spiel at the beginning of a season; historically, the bravado lets up over time.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of usual

Adjective

The Southern Taurids have an average zenithal hourly rate of about five meteors per hour.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026
The average hurricane is about 300 miles (482 kilometers) wide, but hurricanes – or typhoons, as they’re called in the western Pacific of the Northern Hemisphere – can be much bigger or smaller.

— Zachary Handlos, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of average

Adjective

Between 50 and 60 visitors will make the trek out there on a typical day, according to David Boyd, public information officer for the White River National Forest.

— The Aspen Times, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
The distillery expanded into wood finishing with the launch of Maker’s 46 in 2010, but this wasn’t your typical cask-finished whiskey.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of typical

Adjective

However, cinematographers always need time and encouragement to get inventive with commonplace tools, especially in the documentary world where Hutchens does so much work.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
In 20 years’ time, one of the extravagances in these pages may be as commonplace as the smartphone is now.

— John Vorwald, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of commonplace

Adjective

Ordinary except, of course, for that time humans punched it, opening the door for the Hera mission to explore the previously unremarkable rocks.

— Meghan Bartels, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Can real transcendence come from sharing physical pleasures with unremarkable people who just happen to live in the same town as you?

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of unremarkable

Browse Nearby Words

unexceptionable

unexceptional

unexcitable

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“Unexceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexceptional. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unexceptional

adjective

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