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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unexceptional
  1. normal
  2. ordinary
  3. usual
  4. average
  5. typical
  6. commonplace
  7. unremarkable
Adjective
  • For many women, painful periods are treated as an unfortunate but normal part of life.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • Typically, El Niño is associated with wetter-than-normal conditions during the winter in Southern California.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • This impressive dinner will make an ordinary Wednesday night feel like a special occasion.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 July 2026
  • Asked why, Newsom told The Times his party had become out of touch with ordinary Americans.
    — Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • The announcement came with all the usual comparisons to the big foundation models against benchmarks that provide some vague sense of capability.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 10 July 2026
  • The American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament returned to the shores of Lake Tahoe on Friday with its usual assortment of sports and entertainment celebrities and tens of thousands of enthusiastic fans.
    — José Luis Villegas, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • That adds up to just $15,080 a year, based on a standard 40-hour workweek—less than a third of the average American’s salary of around $60,000 yearly.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • The battery life errs more on the average side and lacks magnetic charging, but the $200 Fourth of July discount makes up for it.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026
Definition of average
Adjective
  • If multiple people become infected within a neighborhood, a typical source would be a cooling tower, hot tub or spray fountain, NYC Health wrote on its website.
    — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • The contoured footbed offers more support than a typical flat sandal, and the adjustable straps help customize the fit, which is especially helpful for her flat feet.
    — Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
Definition of typical
Adjective
  • Guard propaganda showing Trump bleeding out from a sniper bullet or dying in a drone attack is commonplace.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2026
  • So moving on to his seventh, in this case the Florida Panthers, feels pretty commonplace now.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
Definition of commonplace
Adjective
  • On a recent Trilith Studios tour in Fayetteville, the trolley drove outside the studio gates into an otherwise unremarkable open field filled with tall grass and wildflowers.
    — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • The interior decor is unremarkable, but the forest of palm trees in front of the ocean helps make up for it.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 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 12 Jul. 2026.

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