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
The monologue that led to Kimmel’s involuntary hiatus was thoroughly unexceptional for the show.
—
Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
The Citizen: This is a character who is normal in every possible way, living an unexceptional life, who makes a morally dubious choice that leads them down The Path Of No Return.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Aaron Rodgers has plenty to prove heading into the Pittsburgh Steelers' season opener after a rather unexceptional 2024 from both a team and an individual perspective.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
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
Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
The Citizen: This is a character who is normal in every possible way, living an unexceptional life, who makes a morally dubious choice that leads them down The Path Of No Return.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Aaron Rodgers has plenty to prove heading into the Pittsburgh Steelers' season opener after a rather unexceptional 2024 from both a team and an individual perspective.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
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
-
Their parents are shocked to see the couple living their normal lives covered in cameras.—
NILESH CHRISTOPHER LOS ANGELES TIMES,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
If sadness or mental fog rolls in, that’s normal.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
From Ireland to Indonesia, there’s nothing ordinary, or forgettable, about these eight hotel beds where architectural inspiration and sweet slumbers collide.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
Architectural Digest,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The expectation in Washington was that ordinary Cubans, once given a spark, would rise up and overthrow Castro, weakening Soviet influence in the Western Hemisphere.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Zendaya first sparked wedding rumors last month when she was spotted with a gold band in place of her usual rock, though fans were unsure if the actor had simply turned her ring towards her palm or switched to a simpler ring to keep the real one safe.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs are now embarked on their 40th anniversary tour, which should make their show here even more celebratory than usual.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Cowboys will be hoping for a turnaround for a defense that was the only unit in the NFL to yield an average 30 or more points per game.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Russia's daily revenue from oil sales during the Iran conflict, which has brought a sharp increase in the price of crude, has been on average 14% higher than in February, according to the nonprofit Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.—
HANNA ARHIROVA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While most missing items are typical things that people travel with like cellphones, backpacks and glasses, Diaz said there have been a number of unique items turned in, including a prosthetic leg, musical instruments, 55-inch-screen TVs and large generators.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Concerns have focused in particular on the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway off Iran's coast that a fifth of the world's oil sails through on a typical day.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While the ability to challenge calls across professional sports has become commonplace, Rojas said there is still a level of respect that needs to be considered.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Winning state championships used to be commonplace for the Argyle girls basketball team.—
Greg Riddle,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The characters in Hamnet and Train Dreams eventually come to terms with how every life—no matter how short or unremarkable—contains meaning.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Kelce sarcastically framed his own unremarkable parenting moment as breaking news, mimicking the breathless tone of the TMZ report.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unexceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexceptional. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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