exempt

1 of 3

adjective

ex·​empt ig-ˈzem(p)t How to pronounce exempt (audio)
Synonyms of exempt
1
: free or released from some liability or requirement to which others are subject
was exempt from jury duty
the estate was exempt from taxes
2
obsolete : set apart

exempt

2 of 3

verb

exempted; exempting; exempts

transitive verb

: to release or deliver from some liability or requirement to which others are subject
exempted from military service

exempt

3 of 3

noun

: one exempted or freed from duty

Examples of exempt in a Sentence

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.
Adjective
While many groceries are exempt, the full sales tax rate still applies to a variety of everyday goods and services. — Mary Ramsey updated June 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026 Police officers, firefighters, paramedics and 911 employees are exempt, the city noted. — Briauna Brown, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Verb
Officials said the curfew exempts first responders and people traveling to or from work or seeking medical care. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 Being a pro athlete doesn’t exempt you from behaving respectfully in society. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026
Noun
By the end of the current abatement, the building will have been tax exempt for 15 years. — Sharon Coolidge, Cincinnati.com, 13 Dec. 2017 One additional player may be added to each draw as a special exempt. — Adam Baum, The Enquirer, 20 July 2022 See All Example Sentences for exempt

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin exemptus, past participle of eximere to take out — more at example

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1532, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exempt was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing exempt

Rhymes for exempt

See All Rhymes for exempt

Browse Nearby Words

exemplum
exempt
exempt carrier
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exempt. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

exempt

1 of 2 adjective
ex·​empt ig-ˈzem(p)t How to pronounce exempt (audio)
: free or released from some requirement that others must meet or deal with

exempt

2 of 2 verb
: to make exempt

Legal Definition

exempt

1 of 2 adjective
ex·​empt ig-ˈzempt How to pronounce exempt (audio)
: free or released from some obligation or duty to which others are subject : not subject or liable
certain properties are declared to be exempt and cannot be taken by a person's creditors—J. H. Williamson

exempt

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to release or exclude from some liability (as in taxation), obligation, or duty to which others are subject
exempts the income of a spendthrift trust—W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.

More from Merriam-Webster on exempt

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for exempt

Nglish: Translation of exempt for Spanish Speakers

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