Definition of EXEMPLARY (original) (raw)
1
a
: deserving imitation : commendable
his courage was exemplary
also : deserving imitation because of excellence
they serve exemplary pastries —
G. V. Higgins
2
: serving as an example, instance, or illustration
this story is exemplary of her style
3
: serving as a warning : monitory
given an exemplary punishment
Did you know?
Exemplary (and its close relatives example and exemplify) derives from the Latin noun exemplum ("example"). When exemplary describes something as "excellent," it almost always carries the further suggestion that the thing described is worthy of imitation.
Synonyms
Examples of exemplary in a Sentence
Each cantina has its own style, but almost all of them share several key traits: uniformed waiters offering exemplary service, a trio of musicians strolling from table to table playing songs on request, lots of men playing dominoes, plenty of good tequila and cold beer, and tasty home-cooked botanas (snacks) served free with each round of drinks. —Chris Humphrey, National Geographic Traveler, September 2008 A few Hollywood couples stayed hitched—Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, 50 years and counting—but such exemplary marriages had less entertainment value than the connubial career of, say, Elizabeth Taylor, eight times wed and divorced, including two volatile turns with Richard Burton. —Richard Corliss, Time, 28 Jan. 2008 Among the most important factors that distinguished the best Civil War regiments from the mediocre ones were the quality and exemplary courage of their officers. —James M. McPherson, New York Review of Books, 6 Oct. 2005
as a hospital volunteer you have given exemplary service to your community armies have traditionally used public execution as an exemplary punishment for the crime of desertion
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The following list of top attributes is informed by decades of industry experience and reflects the exemplary traits demonstrated by sponsors on my company's platform. —Azure Erickson, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 The Presidential Citizens Medal honors Americans who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens. —Tamara Keith, NPR, 2 Jan. 2025 Historic and exemplary Dommaraju is only the second Indian chess player to become world champion, following Viswanathan Anand, India's first grandmaster, who won the last of his five world titles in 2012. —Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week Uk, theweek, 17 Dec. 2024 Learn about the Student of the Week nominees: Kyle Hunter, Jeffersontown High School: Kyle is a fantastic young man with exemplary character and positive energy. —Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exemplary 
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1507, in the meaning defined at sense 1b
Time Traveler
The first known use of exemplary was circa 1507
Dictionary Entries Near exemplary
Cite this Entry
“Exemplary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exemplary. Accessed 16 Jan. 2025.
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Last Updated: 6 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences
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