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

Honestly, the whole discussion reeks of College Football Brain, that cross-affliction of entitlement and exceptionalism in which the most bizarre circumstances are treated as routine business.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the opinion of Lakos-Bujas and his colleagues, American exceptionalism isn’t a question, with the U.S. expected to remain “the world’s growth engine,” next year, driven by a resilient economy and an AI-driven supercycle.

From MarketWatch

“There’s a real fight in America about exceptionalism, about what it means to be an exceptional nation,” he said.

From New York Times

Perhaps it was inevitable this form of American exceptionalism would give way to global trends.

From Washington Post

Musical theater is associated in France with happy-go-lucky American exceptionalism, and here it feels absurdly bright, leaving Bucky — who blames himself for abandoning his neighborhood — dumbstruck.

From New York Times