exceptionalism

[ ik-sep-shuh-nl-iz-uhm ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the condition of being exceptional; uniqueness.
the study of the unique and exceptional.
a theory that a nation, region, or political system is exceptional and does not conform to the norm.

exceptionalism

/ ɪkˈsɛpʃənəlɪzəm /

an attitude to other countries, cultures, etc based on the idea of being quite distinct from, and often superior to, them in vital ways

First recorded in 1925–30; exceptional ( def ) + -ism ( def )

Historically Democrats, like Republicans, believed in American Exceptionalism.

The first is the shared history of the Americas, too often eclipsed by the story of U.S. “exceptionalism.”

Niebuhr “played by the rules” by affirming American exceptionalism, and writing about American innocence.

The SBOE wants Texas students to learn about “American exceptionalism.”

But American exceptionalism has merely delayed secularization, not halted it.

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