exemption

American  

[ig-zemp-shuhn] / ɪgˈzɛmp ʃən /

noun

• exemptions
  plural

1. the circumstances of a taxpayer, such as their age or number of dependents, that allow them to make certain deductions from taxable income.

2. the act of exempting.

3. the state of being exempted; immunity.

   Synonyms:

   exception

   Antonyms:

   liability

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Synonym Usage

Exemption, immunity, impunity imply special privilege or freedom from imposed requirements. Exemption implies release or privileged freedom from some duty, tax, etc.: exemption from military service. Immunity implies freedom from a penalty or from some liability, especially one that is disagreeable or threatening: immunity from disease. Impunity (limited mainly to the fixed expression with impunity ) primarily suggests freedom from punishment: The police force was so inadequate that crimes could be committed with impunity.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonexemption
  noun
• preexemption
  noun
• exemptive
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• exemptions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of exemption

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin exemptiōn- (stem of exemptiō ) “removal.” See exempt, -ion

Explanation

When you get an exemption, you don't have to do something. In the sixties, some people got exemptions from military service during the Vietnam War. We don't often think of being left out as a good thing, but when you use the word exemption, you mean that someone has been excluded in a positive way. Children are exemptions, or deductions, on tax forms; the more children you have the less taxes you pay. Some non-profits are tax-exempt; their exemption means they pay no taxes at all. Exemptions also spare people from fighting in wars and doing some jobs. An exemption gets you off the hook.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

exemption exemptions

If your friend thinks she may qualify for Medicaid’s hardship exemption, don’t wait to get the application process started.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026

Zoox received a first-of-its-kind exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last month, allowing them to operate purpose-built robotaxis and charge for it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

It now hits far fewer taxpayers as the threshold matches the federal exemption amount, which is $15 million for 2026 and is indexed for inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026

She has claimed the four-bedroom home as her primary residence since at least 2015, according to a county tax office employee, affording her a home exemption tax break.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

He told her that he had okay’ed the exemption earlier in the week after approval had come down from her office.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

The council said guidance on exemptions and reasonable adjustments was still being finalised.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

Around 5,000 people are expected to be released under the sentencing changes, down from 6,000 after exemptions were previously announced for those convicted of the most serious crimes including rape, child sex offences and grooming.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

Twenty-nine offer exemptions for religious objections, and another 16 for either religious or personal reasons, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

And Section 5 of the order allows the secretary of state and Homeland Security to grant any exemptions they want to parents who might otherwise fall within the order’s orbit.

From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026

The only exemptions were mothers who already had four children or women with significant standing in the Communist Party.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

Related Words

• discharge
• dispensation
• exception
• immunity
• privilege