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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 monologue that led to Kimmel’s involuntary hiatus was thoroughly unexceptional for the show. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 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

Some artists who do Bowl shows with the LA Phil or its sister symphony, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, run through something close to their normal set and require whoever is assigned to do the orchestrations to follow suit.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
In the first two years alone, over 600 workers exceeded the normal safety limit of 50 mSv per year.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of normal

Adjective

Audiences embraced the films for their creeping realism and slow-building scares, which transformed ordinary bedrooms, hallways and home security cameras into places where something terrifying might be lurking just outside the frame.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
The new measure comes as Moscow and Kyiv ramp up their air campaigns, with Ukrainian strikes deep into Russian territory sparking fuel shortages and bringing the war closer to home for ordinary Russians.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of ordinary

Adjective

Immediately, Zack-Carlos goes back to reasserting his presence in the house, eager to stay as long as possible and be his usual insufferable self.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
For cats that need a larger calorie reduction, Yeo said a veterinary weight-management diet may be safer than simply serving much less of their usual food because it is formulated to provide adequate nutrients with fewer calories.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of usual

Adjective

Those consumers experienced an average credit score increase of 16 points, according to FICO.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
The relative chart versus the SPX has improved as well, with NTR rebounding from trendline support and reclaiming its 40-week moving average (MA) in the ratio.

— Katie Stockton, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of average

Adjective

Netflix has worked assiduously to burnish its reputation as a home for advertisers seeking to align themselves with its popular programs and eager to avoid the traditional model of deploying typical 30-second commercials.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
However, this gets an all-new rear suspension with leaf springs; that setup allows for a greater payload than a typical torsion beam axle.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of typical

Adjective

As anywhere in the United States, crashes are more commonplace during rush hour; there are simply more drivers on the road, and many are tired.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
YouTube has long topped Nielsen's streaming viewership list, and deals that see more of traditional media's content embedded into the tech platform could become more commonplace.

— Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of commonplace

Adjective

So far this year, only three unremarkable tropical storms have formed in the Atlantic basin (Arthur, Bertha and Cristobal).

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Anyone who has ever spoken to a Palestinian would find most of Khalil’s political opinions unremarkable.

— Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of unremarkable

Browse Nearby Words

unexceptionable

unexceptional

unexcitable

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unexceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexceptional. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unexceptional

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gumption

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes