exceptionalism

[ ik-sep-shuh-nl-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. the condition of being exceptional; uniqueness.
2. the study of the unique and exceptional.
3. a theory that a nation, region, or political system is exceptional and does not conform to the norm.

exceptionalism

/ ɪkˈsɛpʃənəlɪzəm /

noun

1. an attitude to other countries, cultures, etc based on the idea of being quite distinct from, and often superior to, them in vital ways

Word History and Origins

Origin of exceptionalism¹

First recorded in 1925–30; exceptional ( def ) + -ism ( def )

Example Sentences

I think that’s part of why it’s so hard for us to give up on this idea of human exceptionalism — because if we do abandon that idea, we’d have to change a lot of how we’re living.

From Vox

The dream job isn’t a destination but a vision to build a franchise around your exceptionalism.

From Washington Post

It’s something I call sexual exceptionalism in my book, the idea that for evangelicals oftentimes sexual sin is the worst sin, not racism, not greed, not lack of love for your neighbor.

From Time

In a welcome way, O’Connell rejects any tendency toward human exceptionalism, a stance rooted in the belief that humans are inevitably exceptional in our intelligence and emotional expression.

From Washington Post

Our colleagues have warned about the dangers of “pandemic research exceptionalism” in the context of clinical trials for covid-19 agents.

From MIT Technology Review

Historically Democrats, like Republicans, believed in American Exceptionalism.

From The Daily Beast

The first is the shared history of the Americas, too often eclipsed by the story of U.S. “exceptionalism.”

From The Daily Beast

Niebuhr “played by the rules” by affirming American exceptionalism, and writing about American innocence.

From The Daily Beast

The SBOE wants Texas students to learn about “American exceptionalism.”

From The Daily Beast

But American exceptionalism has merely delayed secularization, not halted it.

From The Daily Beast