exemplary
adjective
ex·em·pla·ry
ig-ˈzem-plə-rē 
1
a
: deserving imitation : commendable
his courage was exemplary
also
: deserving imitation because of excellence
they serve exemplary pastries —
G. V. Higgins
G. V. Higgins
b
: serving as a pattern
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
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
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
November 1: Souls of beings who had an exemplary life, as well as those of children who were baptized.
—Paula Soria, The Arizona Republic, 29 Oct. 2024
Most of Luminara's inaugural voyages allow for 7 to 8 nights of authentic experiences accompanied by the exemplary service and attention to detail Ritz-Carlton represents.
—Kathleen Turner, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Advertisement In a 57-page motion made public late Thursday, Gascón’s prosecutors argued that the brothers are no longer a threat to public safety and should be released given their exemplary behavior while in custody.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
Correspondingly, she was chosen to have her classroom participate in the School Specialty remodel due to her exemplary work in early childhood education.
—Magda Liszewska, Orange County Register, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exemplary 
Paula Soria, The Arizona Republic, 29 Oct. 2024
Most of Luminara's inaugural voyages allow for 7 to 8 nights of authentic experiences accompanied by the exemplary service and attention to detail Ritz-Carlton represents.
—Kathleen Turner, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Advertisement In a 57-page motion made public late Thursday, Gascón’s prosecutors argued that the brothers are no longer a threat to public safety and should be released given their exemplary behavior while in custody.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
Correspondingly, she was chosen to have her classroom participate in the School Specialty remodel due to her exemplary work in early childhood education.
—Magda Liszewska, Orange County Register, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exemplary
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exemplary.' 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 exemplary
Cite this Entry
“Exemplary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exemplary. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exemplary
adjective
ex·em·pla·ry
ig-ˈzem-plə-rē
: deserving to be imitated : commendable
exemplary behavior
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