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View synonyms for exemplary

exemplary

[ ig-zem-pluh-ree, eg-zuhm-pler-ee ]

adjective

  1. worthy of imitation; commendable:

    exemplary conduct.

    Synonyms: praiseworthy, noteworthy, laudable

  2. serving as a warning:

    an exemplary penalty.

  3. serving as an illustration or specimen; illustrative; typical:

    The sentences read are exemplary of the style of the essay as a whole.

  4. serving as a model or pattern:

    The authoritative and exemplary text of the work is in the Bodleian Library at Oxford University.

  5. of, relating to, or composed of exempla, or examples or models:

    the exemplary literature of the medieval period.



exemplary

/ ɪɡˈzɛmplərɪ /

adjective

  1. fit for imitation; model

    an exemplary performance

  2. serving as a warning; admonitory

    an exemplary jail sentence

  3. representative; typical

    an action exemplary of his conduct



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Derived Forms

  • exˈemplariness, noun
  • exˈemplarily, adverb

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Other Words From

  • ex·empla·ri·ly adverb
  • ex·empla·ri·ness ex·em·plar·i·ty [eg-z, uh, m-, plar, -i-tee], noun
  • nonex·empla·ry adjective
  • unex·empla·ry adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of exemplary1

First recorded in 1400–50, for the earlier sense “model, exemplar”; 1580–90 exemplary fordef 1; late Middle English (noun), from Latin exemplāris, from exempl(um) exemplum + -āris -ary

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Example Sentences

They are model citizens, the kind of people whose lives might be used as exemplary stories by a politician in a stump speech.

It was descriptive, prescriptive, and exemplary in its clarity.

Deacon Jones, 74 David D. Jones was an exemplary defensive end in the NFL.

And, indeed, the 777 has had an exemplary safety record—with nearly 1,500 777s delivered, not a single passenger has died in one.

Mitt Romney is that rare person who seems to have exemplary personal character.

Mary was on the contrary so far subdued, as to be exemplary in goodness and diligence, and Blanche was always steady.

Whatever might have been their faults, or even their crimes, in other countries, in these their conduct had been exemplary.

Dorothy bore it all with exemplary patience, and resumed her work in such spirits, that she sang from the very joy of her heart.

Exemplary punishment is to be visited upon me for "precocious godlessness, dangerous tendencies, and insubordination."

Nor had the conduct of these veteran soldiers been less exemplary in their quarters than in the field.

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