exceptional
adjective
ex·cep·tion·al
ik-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəl 
2
: better than average : superior
exceptional skill
3
: deviating from the norm: such as
a
: having above or below average intelligence
b
: physically disabled
exceptionalness
noun
Examples of exceptional in a Sentence
We're bending the rules for this exceptional situation.
an exceptional student in math
The seafood dishes at this restaurant are exceptional.
a separate school for exceptional children
Recent Examples on the Web
At scholarship level especially, his record was exceptional — in the 2023-24 campaign, Wilson averaged a goal every 64 minutes, netting 16 in 13 games.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Passages like these have the curious effect of retrofitting Sinking’s less exceptional moments with their elegant modernity.
—Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 10 June 2026
His London thrush is exceptional, but the outtakes on that scene are so funny.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 June 2026
For the second year in a row, coach Jai Lucas did what appears to be an exceptional job filling needs.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for exceptional
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Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Passages like these have the curious effect of retrofitting Sinking’s less exceptional moments with their elegant modernity.
—Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 10 June 2026
His London thrush is exceptional, but the outtakes on that scene are so funny.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 June 2026
For the second year in a row, coach Jai Lucas did what appears to be an exceptional job filling needs.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for exceptional
Cite this Entry
“Exceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exceptional. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exceptional
adjective
ex·cep·tion·al
ik-ˈsep-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
1
: forming an exception : being unusual
an exceptional amount of rain
2
: better than average : superior
an exceptional student in math
exceptionally
adverb
-ē
exceptionalness
noun
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