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
But uniformitarianism turned out to be a rigid and incomplete doctrine, one that blinded generations of geologists to the possibility that the planet was also shaped by exceptional and dramatic events, a counter-theory known as catastrophism.
—
Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024
Popular on Variety This year’s ‘Special Program in Focus’ was inspired by the fact that many exceptional teen coming-of-age films have been produced in Asia recently, festival organizers explained.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 19 Aug. 2024
Beauty is not enough to explain the exceptional evolution of his talent.
—Caroline Frost, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2024
For example, Family Reserve has been matured and finished in a series of eight exceptional casks, working in harmony to create a unique and complex flavor profile.
—Claire Dodd, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exceptional 
Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024
Popular on Variety This year’s ‘Special Program in Focus’ was inspired by the fact that many exceptional teen coming-of-age films have been produced in Asia recently, festival organizers explained.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 19 Aug. 2024
Beauty is not enough to explain the exceptional evolution of his talent.
—Caroline Frost, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2024
For example, Family Reserve has been matured and finished in a series of eight exceptional casks, working in harmony to create a unique and complex flavor profile.
—Claire Dodd, Forbes, 17 Aug. 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 12 Sep. 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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