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
Synonyms
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
The enthusiastic conductor, Clément Mao-Takacs, could be overly flashy, but the real glory in the opera, its saving grace in many ways, was the exceptional beauty and expression of Saariaho’s orchestral writing, and this came through spectacularly well.
—
Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024
Courtney’s understanding of corporate finance in entertainment is second-to-none, and her appointment to oversee ours is an integral part of our mission to create exceptional domestic and international productions.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 26 June 2024
Denny is known for his business approach of delivering exceptional value to clients and caring deeply for them instead of being primarily driven by profit.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024
The $318 million expansion project will increase access to pediatric care, enhance exceptional outcomes for kids and elevate patient experience on both the Springdale and Little Rock Arkansas Children’s campuses, according to a news release from the Arkansas Children’s foundation.
—Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for exceptional 
Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024
Courtney’s understanding of corporate finance in entertainment is second-to-none, and her appointment to oversee ours is an integral part of our mission to create exceptional domestic and international productions.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 26 June 2024
Denny is known for his business approach of delivering exceptional value to clients and caring deeply for them instead of being primarily driven by profit.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024
The $318 million expansion project will increase access to pediatric care, enhance exceptional outcomes for kids and elevate patient experience on both the Springdale and Little Rock Arkansas Children’s campuses, according to a news release from the Arkansas Children’s foundation.
—Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for exceptional
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exceptional.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near exceptional
Cite this Entry
“Exceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exceptional. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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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