ex·empt
ig-ˈzem(p)t 
1
: free or released from some liability or requirement to which others are subject
was exempt from jury duty
the estate was exempt from taxes
2
obsolete
: set apart
exempted; exempting; exempts
: to release or deliver from some liability or requirement to which others are subject
exempted from military service
: one exempted or freed from duty
Examples of exempt in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Gray Rohrer, Miami Herald, 17 June 2026
However, those bills — which would have allowed guns on public transit and inside churches and exempt firearms and ammunition from sales taxes — were refiled the following year.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
The law only applies to some public institutions such as welfare offices, while schools and hospitals are exempted.
—Claudia Ciobanu, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Adam Baum, The Enquirer, 20 July 2022
The electric-car maker clashed with Fremont officials last month over whether its factory was an essential business exempt from shutdown orders.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for exempt
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Adjective
Surplus lines insurers are companies largely exempt from state regulations, and their rates and policies aren’t reviewed by the Office of Insurance Regulation.
—Gray Rohrer, Miami Herald, 17 June 2026
However, those bills — which would have allowed guns on public transit and inside churches and exempt firearms and ammunition from sales taxes — were refiled the following year.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
Verb
The Treasury Department is mounting a defense of last year’s decision to exempt US companies from a global minimum tax ahead of this week’s G7 meeting.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
The law only applies to some public institutions such as welfare offices, while schools and hospitals are exempted.
—Claudia Ciobanu, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Noun
One additional player may be added to each draw as a special exempt.
—Adam Baum, The Enquirer, 20 July 2022
The electric-car maker clashed with Fremont officials last month over whether its factory was an essential business exempt from shutdown orders.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for exempt
Cite this Entry
“Exempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exempt. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exempt
1 of 2 adjective
ex·empt
ig-ˈzem(p)t
: free or released from some requirement that others must meet or deal with
exempt
2 of 2 verb
: to make exempt
Legal Definition
exempt
1 of 2 adjective
ex·empt
ig-ˈzempt
: free or released from some obligation or duty to which others are subject : not subject or liable
certain properties are declared to be exempt and cannot be taken by a person's creditors—J. H. Williamson
J. H. Williamsonexempt
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to release or exclude from some liability (as in taxation), obligation, or duty to which others are subject
exempts the income of a spendthrift trust—W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.
W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
