exceptionalism

American  

[ik-sep-shuh-nl-iz-uhm] / ɪkˈsɛp ʃə nlˌɪz əm /

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.

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exceptionalism British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of exceptionalism

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

Example Sentences

“It undercuts this American exceptionalism, ‘we have the best quality of life, we’re the best country in the world, everyone wants to move here,’” said Caitlin Joyce, one of two researchers at Temple University who have spent years studying the trend.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the Blue Note, Jean performs a kind of Haitian exceptionalism: a sensorially rich, festal theater that serves as a necessary counterweight to the country’s grim realities of poverty and political neglect.

From Los Angeles Times

For much of the recent years’ rally, stocks have been bolstered by the idea of American exceptionalism—that U.S. stocks were worth paying more for because they were ahead of the game.

From Barron's

For a long time, experts spoke of "Arctic exceptionalism": the concept that the region had its own set of unwritten rules of cooperation, a zone of peace immune to geopolitical rivalries.

From Barron's

Washington is so tied up with the narrative of American greatness and exceptionalism that some people may think it’s wrong to probe him too deeply.

From Slate