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

That got me thinking about American greatness and American exceptionalism.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One reason for both the currency and the stock rally is that investors “hit peak U.S. exceptionalism around the end of 2024,” Akullian says.

Read more on Barron's

Instead, it seems that American exceptionalism will play a prominent role in the epitaph for American democracy.

Read more on Salon

The long-cherished ideals of institutions, American exceptionalism and the character of the American people have been thrown out the window.

Read more on Salon

"She was formidable and it's incredibly shocking news, because she completely changed how we think about other species and how we think about ourselves - she challenged human exceptionalism," he said.

Read more on BBC