UNEXCEPTIONAL Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

unexceptional

adjective

ˌən-ik-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəl

Definition of unexceptional

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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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of unexceptional That’s why nominating another batch of respectable but unexceptional candidates—the preference of the party’s DC establishment—could be deadly. — Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 16 Feb. 2026 Dad had always told me his father was a naval officer who'd had an unexceptional career and died suddenly in a traffic accident. — CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025 Meanwhile, Young and the Panthers' offense has been unexceptional through three quarters, but did enough to take a 13-3 lead into the fourth quarter. — Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025 The site includes several unexceptional museums housed in palaces, but two must-see attractions are the Mosque of Mohammed Ali and the Gawhara Terrace for a fantastic view over Cairo. — Nada El Sawy, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for unexceptional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unexceptional

Adjective

It's shot up from less than $97 at the start of the month on uncertainty about when the war with Iran will allow the global energy industry to return to normal.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Menopause is the normal part of a woman’s aging process that marks the end of her reproductive years.

— Lyndon Haviland, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of normal

Adjective

However, the record does not establish that the configuration is suitable for ordinary motorcycle use on water or for routine amphibious transportation.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
Behind the camera, Avani Rai shot about 130 people comprising ordinary Indians, dancers, models, and artisans, as well as her mother and actor Ranveer Singh against the streets of Old Delhi and its flower market and crowded alleyways.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of ordinary

Adjective

Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.

— Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
Its warped vocal harmonies are ripe and sour, including guest appearances from the band’s friends, and off-kilter squiggles on steel guitar deviate from their usual pattern.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of usual

Adjective

But even just our average rainfall, that's typically when the lake recharges is during the winter and early spring.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
But, sea level rise is pushing them higher and higher, and experts say these higher-than-usual tides offer a taste of what an average day could look like in decades to comes, when seas are a few feet higher.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of average

Adjective

However, the test took place entirely on urban roads in mild weather, conditions that favour EV efficiency and do not reflect typical highway driving or winter use.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
The One Block Down x Air Max 95 OG Big Bubble Lux features a full premium leather upper, replacing all of the typical Air Max 95 materials including its signature synthetic suede and mesh.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of typical

Adjective

Strikes in France, particularly student strikes, are commonplace and go on all the time.

— Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
Murmurs of surprises and spoilers—commonplace for blockbusters but hardly typical for documentaries—spread like wildfire in the lead-up to the release.

— Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of commonplace

Adjective

Ordinary except, of course, for that time humans punched it, opening the door for the Hera mission to explore the previously unremarkable rocks.

— Meghan Bartels, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Can real transcendence come from sharing physical pleasures with unremarkable people who just happen to live in the same town as you?

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of unremarkable

Browse Nearby Words

unexceptionable

unexceptional

unexcitable

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“Unexceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexceptional. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unexceptional

adjective

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