exemplary
gb/ɪɡzˈɛmplɚi/ us/ɪɡzˈɛmplɚi/
C1
English
~ 9500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
C1
property
1
so good it should be copied
Very good and used as an example that other people should follow.
Usage pattern:
exemplary [behavior/performance/service/leadership]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "exemplary" only means "good". It usually means "so good that it can be an example for others," which is stronger than just "good" or even "very good" in many contexts.
Synonyms
outstanding (Stresses being much better than usual; slightly more common in everyday speech.)
|
model (Focuses on being a perfect example for others to copy; often used in formal or literary style.)
|
admirable (Highlights that the quality deserves respect, without always implying others should copy it.)
Antonyms
poor (General opposite, describing low quality or standard.)
|
unacceptable (Stresses that the quality does not meet the required standard.)
|
disgraceful (Very strong negative judgment of behavior or conduct.)
Collocations
exemplary behavior
|exemplary service
|exemplary performance
|exemplary leadership
|exemplary record
|exemplary conduct
Themes
evaluation
|work
|education
|character
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her exemplary behavior during the crisis earned her a promotion.
- The teacher gave an award for exemplary attendance over the whole year.
- He is known for his exemplary leadership and calm decision-making.
- The company prides itself on providing exemplary customer service.
- The report was so exemplary that it was shared as a model with the entire team.
Learner examples
- The student showed exemplary behavior in class.
- She did exemplary work on the project.
- The hotel staff gave us exemplary service.
- His record at school is exemplary.
- We use her report as an exemplary model for new students.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
intended to warn or deter others
Describes a punishment that is very strong so that other people are afraid to do the same bad thing.
Usage pattern:
exemplary [punishment/damages/sentence/fine]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with the general "very good" sense and think "exemplary punishment" is somehow positive. In this legal and formal use, it usually means a harsh or strong punishment given to be a warning to others.
Synonyms
deterrent (Focuses on the effect of stopping others from acting; can be a noun or adjective.)
|
punitive (Emphasizes the harsh, strongly punishing nature, not always specifically to set an example.)
Antonyms
lenient (Describes punishment that is softer or less severe than expected.)
|
mild (Indicates a low level of severity in the punishment.)
Collocations
exemplary punishment
|exemplary damages
|exemplary sentence
|exemplary fine
|exemplary penalty
Themes
law
|justice
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The court imposed an exemplary punishment to discourage similar crimes in the future.
- The judge decided that only an exemplary sentence would restore public confidence.
- Exemplary damages were awarded because the company had acted with clear malice.
- The government announced exemplary fines for companies that break the new safety rules.
- Union leaders warned that such exemplary penalties could create fear among workers.
Learner examples
- The judge gave him an exemplary punishment to warn others.
- The company had to pay exemplary damages after the case.
- The court chose an exemplary sentence to show that this crime is very serious.
- They set an exemplary fine to stop people from doing this again.
adjective
formal
C2
property
3
clearly showing a type or pattern
Showing very clearly what something is like, so it can be used as a good example of that thing or situation.
Usage pattern:
an exemplary [case/example/instance/model] of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may assume this sense always implies strong praise, like sense 1. In academic or analytical writing, "exemplary" can simply mean that something shows the pattern clearly, even if the thing itself is not morally or qualitatively "good."
Synonyms
illustrative (Highlights that something helps explain or show a point clearly, without the strong positive value of "exemplary" in sense 1.)
|
representative (Focuses on being typical of a group or type, not necessarily especially good.)
Antonyms
atypical (Describes something that does not match the usual pattern or type.)
|
unrepresentative (Shows that something does not give a true picture of the group or type.)
Collocations
exemplary case
|exemplary example
|exemplary instance
|exemplary model
Themes
analysis
|academia
|description
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This study is an exemplary case of how social media can influence elections.
- The novel offers an exemplary instance of postmodern storytelling techniques.
- Her career is often cited as an exemplary example of steady professional growth.
- The project became an exemplary model of cooperation between public and private sectors.
Learner examples
- This story is an exemplary case of how rumors can grow.
- The teacher used this article as an exemplary example of clear writing.
- The report is an exemplary model of good research.
- The film is an exemplary case of early science fiction.
Grammar
Expressions
exemplary damages
1/ɪɡzˈɛmplɚi dˈæmɪd͡ʒɪz/
fixed phrase
technical
punitive money award in law
Money that a court tells someone to pay, not only to cover the loss, but also to punish them and stop others from doing the same thing.
Examples
- The jury awarded exemplary damages because the company had knowingly put customers at risk.
- Exemplary damages are meant to punish the defendant rather than simply compensate the victim.