ˌən-ik-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəl
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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Recent Examples of unexceptional
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
Left exposed, Lebanon could not prevent Iran from projecting its power through Hezbollah, which evolved from its original state as an unexceptional guerilla force into a highly professional and well-armed paramilitary organization.
—
Bilal Y. Saab,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Oct. 2010
See All Example Sentences for unexceptional
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
Left exposed, Lebanon could not prevent Iran from projecting its power through Hezbollah, which evolved from its original state as an unexceptional guerilla force into a highly professional and well-armed paramilitary organization.
—
Bilal Y. Saab,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Oct. 2010
See All Example Sentences for unexceptional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unexceptional
Adjective
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Shah adds that many women feel their best when ferritin levels are at least between 40 and 70 ng/ml for optimal energy and hair health, even if lab ranges suggest lower levels are ‘normal’.
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People are being asked to have their trash and recycling at the curb at least one hour prior to their normal pickup time.
Adjective
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Lander also backs an ultra-wealth tax on individuals worth over $1 billion, as well as the Equal Tax Act, which matches tax rates for capital gains and ordinary income over $1 million.
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In 2022 long-term acute care hospitals accounted for 56 percent of screening detections and ordinary acute care hospitals for 25; by 2024 the proportions had inverted, to 36 and 51.
Adjective
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This could include sniffing around more than usual or barking and growling at odd places like piles of leaves.
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Finally, a birthday that really deserves all the usual fireworks.
Adjective
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Conditions will bring above-average temperatures to World Cup host cities such as Boston, Philadelphia and Kansas City, Missouri, all of which have open-air stadiums.
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Forty ships transited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler, a number still significantly lower than the average daily crossings before the war with Iran started in February.
Adjective
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Treatments start at $49, which is a bargain compared to typical pest control treatments that cost nearly three times that amount.
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The rules called for the combatants to square off with just eight paces between them — rather than the 20 or 30 paces typical of the time — and both men hit their targets.
Adjective
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Using ChatGPT, Gemini, and other artificial intelligence platforms to make everyday decisions has become commonplace.
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When spreadsheets became commonplace, companies did not hire fewer finance professionals.
Adjective
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Do the people queuing for takeaway chicken at Popeyes, directly opposite, know what went down behind that unremarkable shop front?
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Maybe there was a gift card and restaurant visit too — an altogether enjoyable, but unremarkable celebration.
Cite this Entry
“Unexceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexceptional. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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