adj
exemplary
ihg-ZEHMP-luh-ree
adj
1
So good that it serves as a model for others to follow.
"Her exemplary conduct earned her a promotion within a year."
"The students showed exemplary behavior on the school trip."
2
Serving as a warning to others.
"The judge handed down an exemplary sentence to deter future offenders."
How to Use Exemplary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWorth using as an example — either because it's excellent, or as a warning.
Common pairings
exemplary behavior
exemplary conduct
exemplary damages
Word Forms
more exemplary comparative, exemplaries plural, most exemplary superlative
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Her _____ conduct earned her a promotion within a year.
Etymology
From Latin exemplaris, from exemplum, "example, sample."