exceptionalism

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

/ ɪkˈsɛp ʃə nlˌɪz əm /

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noun

the condition of being exceptional; uniqueness.

the study of the unique and exceptional.

a theory that a nation, region, or political system is exceptional and does not conform to the norm.

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Origin of exceptionalism

First recorded in 1925–30; exceptional + -ism

Words nearby exceptionalism

except for, excepting, exception, exceptionable, exceptional, exceptionalism, exceptionality, exceptionally, exceptive, excerpt, excerpta

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use exceptionalism in a sentence

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.
Jane Goodall reveals what studying chimpanzees teaches us about human nature|Sigal Samuel|July 23, 2021|Vox
The dream job isn’t a destination but a vision to build a franchise around your exceptionalism.
For Aaron Rodgers and a new breed of superstar, a dream job is no longer good enough|Jerry Brewer|May 5, 2021|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.
What an Expert on Evangelicals and Sex Says About the Atlanta Shooter's Claim He Had a Sex Addiction|Belinda Luscombe|March 20, 2021|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.
In the animal kingdom, rituals that connect, renew and heal|Barbara King|January 22, 2021|Washington Post

Our colleagues have warned about the dangers of “pandemic research exceptionalism” in the context of clinical trials for covid-19 agents.
Drug companies shouldn’t play favorites in granting access to experimental covid-19 treatments|Amy Nordrum|October 24, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Historically Democrats, like Republicans, believed in American Exceptionalism.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats|Joel Kotkin|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The first is the shared history of the Americas, too often eclipsed by the story of U.S. “exceptionalism.”
Keep the Holiday, Lose Columbus|Carrie Gibson|October 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Niebuhr “played by the rules” by affirming American exceptionalism, and writing about American innocence.
Noam Chomsky—Infuriating and Necessary|David Masciotra|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The SBOE wants Texas students to learn about “American exceptionalism.”
In Texas Textbooks, Moses Is a Founding Father|Edward Countryman|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But American exceptionalism has merely delayed secularization, not halted it.
Did the Southern Baptist ‘Conservative Resurgence’ Fail?|Molly Worthen|June 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for exceptionalism

exceptionalism

/ (ɪkˈsɛpʃənəlɪzəm) /

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012