unexceptional

adjective

ˌən-ik-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəl
Definition of unexceptionalnext
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

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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 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
  1. normal
  2. ordinary
  3. usual
  4. average
  5. typical
  6. commonplace
  7. unremarkable
Adjective
  • It's shot up from less than $97 at the start of the month on uncertainty about when the war with Iran will allow the global energy industry to return to normal.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Menopause is the normal part of a woman’s aging process that marks the end of her reproductive years.
    — Lyndon Haviland, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • That could create an unusual situation in which an ordinary consumer turns on a feature built into a mainstream device and, at least technically, runs afoul of state law by using it during a private conversation without everyone's consent.
    — MacKenzie Sigalos,Annie Palmer, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Spanish scientists have developed an experimental type of self-disinfecting cotton fabric, which is activated via ordinary white light.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.
    — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Its warped vocal harmonies are ripe and sour, including guest appearances from the band’s friends, and off-kilter squiggles on steel guitar deviate from their usual pattern.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • Mahomes himself has been better, posting his highest yards per attempt average and passer rating since 2022.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Asian jet fuel is trading at just over double the average last year, according to calculations by the International Air Transport Association.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of average
Adjective
  • Minutes from the April 19 meeting outlined how the government opted for just one round of readiness checks before launching its emergency vaccination program due to time constraints, instead of the typical four rounds.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Such moves are typical of presidential hopefuls from both parties seeking to bolster their alliances nationwide.
    — Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of typical
Adjective
  • Strikes in France, particularly student strikes, are commonplace and go on all the time.
    — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Murmurs of surprises and spoilers—commonplace for blockbusters but hardly typical for documentaries—spread like wildfire in the lead-up to the release.
    — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 19 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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Cite this Entry

“Unexceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexceptional. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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