exemplary

adjective

ig-ˈzem-plə-rē How to pronounce exemplary (audio)
Definition of exemplarynext
1
as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated as a hospital volunteer you have given exemplary service to your community

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in warning
serving as or offering a warning armies have traditionally used public execution as an exemplary punishment for the crime of desertion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 exemplary The Elite 16 award is the SIAC’s highest academic achievement honor and is presented to student-athletes who demonstrate exemplary performance in athletics and the classroom. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 The District Court of Harris County in Houston handed down the ruling in May 2026, awarding Jacobs a total of $50,105,000, including $40,105,000 in compensatory damages and an additional $10 million in exemplary damages. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 16 Sep. 2026 Often referred to as the Nobel Prize of the Arts, the Praemium Imperiale recognizes exemplary achievements by artists around the world working in painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and theater and film. — News Desk, Artforum, 8 Sep. 2026 All told, Trinity Valley must pay Skains just over $10 million intended to cover harm to her mental health and reputation, unpaid wages and benefits, and exemplary damages, according to the verdict. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exemplary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exemplary
  1. classic
  2. warning
  3. excellent
  4. punitive
  5. superb
  6. cautionary
  7. exceptional
  8. perfect
Adjective
  • Ahead of rocking the Pond with its classic hits, the famed norteño band brought its signature sound and activism to NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • No list of books about Renaissance Venice (and its relations with Jews) would be complete without Brian Pullan’s classic study.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of classic
Adjective
  • The bureau also will post more warning notices at 750 livestock sale facilities and review other potential changes to federal regulations.
    — SCOTT SONNER, Star Tribune, 27 July 2021
  • In response, statistical authorities around the world could do little but issue warning press releases.
    — Andrew Whitby, Time, 17 Apr. 2020
Definition of warning
Adjective
  • Williams aims to help build a county government that works for everyday people by lowering the cost of living, delivering excellent county services and protecting fundamental rights.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Nikko Remigio’s reputation as a return man isn’t splashy plays, but rather excellent ball security.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • Yet there are few examples in history of adversaries conceding to maximalist demands in the face of punitive bombing campaigns alone—even by the world’s greatest air force.
    — Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
  • An exploration of self-perception and a non-punitive confrontation with the past.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of punitive
Adjective
  • The 5-foot-10, 165-pound wide receiver also has a superb sense of timing.
    — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • These four superb films approach that reality from very different vantage points.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of superb
Adjective
  • Theranos is, in many ways, a cautionary tale and a relic of 2010s Silicon Valley.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
  • CoreWeave, whose debt is showing signs of distress, has become the sector's latest cautionary tale.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of cautionary
Adjective
  • When machines can instantly replicate the average, the only true moat is the exceptional.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The Brewers have an exceptional amount of talent too, and Murphy's routine of pretending like his team is a bunch of humble farmers who were playing stickball out back a few days ago is absurd and offensive.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • The Perfect Prescription is Spacemen 3’s masterpiece, an imperfect record made by one of the last holistically perfect groups of the 20th century.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The home office that completes this level offers a perfect spot for working from home.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of perfect

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exemplars
exemplary
exemplification
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Cite this Entry

“Exemplary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exemplary. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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