ˌən-ik-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəl
as in normal
being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events
the physicist, now regarded as one of the brightest minds in science, was an unexceptional student as a child
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Recent Examples of unexceptional
Even in good times, economic growth under the euro was unexceptional, but with the global financial crisis, the situation grew dire.
—
Andrew Moravcsik, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2016
The ambivalence of André and his parents was culturally unexceptional, but Simone’s abhorrence wasn’t.
—Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024
Los bárbaros is a razor-sharp critique not only of how authorities respond to violent events—which have become sadly unexceptional along the border—but also of the implicit trust placed in the moving image when used to document such incidents.
—Maricarmen Barrios, ARTnews.com, 26 July 2024
Between meetings, Winfrey was photographed in a pair of Philo’s $1,700 chalk-white jeans with straps at the knee and a $1,700 fluid white turtleneck, looking like, well, anyone else who pairs a white blouse with white trousers, which is to say pulled together but unexceptional.
—Rachel Tashjian, Washington Post, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for unexceptional 
Andrew Moravcsik, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2016
The ambivalence of André and his parents was culturally unexceptional, but Simone’s abhorrence wasn’t.
—Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024
Los bárbaros is a razor-sharp critique not only of how authorities respond to violent events—which have become sadly unexceptional along the border—but also of the implicit trust placed in the moving image when used to document such incidents.
—Maricarmen Barrios, ARTnews.com, 26 July 2024
Between meetings, Winfrey was photographed in a pair of Philo’s $1,700 chalk-white jeans with straps at the knee and a $1,700 fluid white turtleneck, looking like, well, anyone else who pairs a white blouse with white trousers, which is to say pulled together but unexceptional.
—Rachel Tashjian, Washington Post, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for unexceptional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unexceptional
Adjective
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The morning low temperatures may drop below freezing as far south as Houston, New Orleans and Tallahassee, Fla., on Monday and Tuesday mornings — between 20 and 30 degrees below normal for this time of year, Taylor said.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
17 Jan. 2025
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The director had a charmed and normal childhood, by all accounts; he was born in Montana but moved all over the country as a kid, living in Washington, North Carolina, Idaho, and Virginia at various points.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors For anyone seeking a sophisticated escape from the ordinary, Las Vegas is about to offer a new level of daytime luxury.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
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Cooperative dinners and restaurant excursions have taken over ordinary socializing, to the exclusion of just-for-fun parties.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Forecasts for two of the three upcoming winter storms are tricky and more uncertain than usual.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
17 Jan. 2025
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Across from them in their usual stalls stood the eight neighing horses.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Temperatures in South Lake Tahoe will be below average, with the high likely staying below freezing and lows dropping to the teens to low 20s, according to the forecast.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacramento Bee,
22 Jan. 2025
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On average, the fortunes of the richest 10 billionaires — eight of whom live in the U.S. — grew by $100 million a day in 2024.—
Kamala Thiagarajan,
NPR,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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On a typical day, when relaxing, Elizabeth can sit at her chabudai (a low Japanese tea table), look out her circle window and enjoy the seasons.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Jan. 2025
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This is especially true for the younger cohorts, but even older kids can struggle with restaurant behavior—all of which is typical and understandable.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This might seem commonplace now—Wanda Sykes and Drew Barrymore have both done this—but in the 1990s, this was unusual, so Alex tries to pass it off as a heart attack.—
Jennifer Vineyard,
Flow Space,
24 Jan. 2025
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These events, while commonplace, are often referred to as planetary alignments.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The video clip was paused at the start, showing a few Indiana Pacers players 90 feet from their own basket about to corral an unremarkable rebound.—
Fred Katz,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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Bex, just the latest in a string of Clarice Starling-esque investigators whose genius stems from unremarkable trauma, has a dark secret.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unexceptional
Cite this Entry
“Unexceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexceptional. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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