Synonyms

exceptionally

American

[ik-sep-shuh-nuh-lee] / ɪkˈsɛp ʃə nə li /

adverb

in a way or to a degree that is unusual or extraordinary; extremely.

The combination of an exceptionally high tide and a devastating storm surge has wreaked havoc on coastal communities.
In the photo, a young woman sits on the floor of a small shanty in an exceptionally impoverished neighborhood.

Other Word Forms

nonexceptionally adverb
preexceptionally adverb
quasi-exceptionally adverb
superexceptionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of exceptionally

exceptional ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

A walk in the park is nice, but it’s exceptionally nice on a beautiful spring day when the weather is perfect, flowers are blooming, and birds are singing. Think of the word exceptionally as a magic wand that upgrades adjectives from ordinary to extraordinary. For example, a good day could just be a pleasant day when nothing bad happens, but an exceptionally good day would be closer to having the best day of your life. While exceptionally usually carries a positive meaning, it can also be used to describe something that is particularly unusual, like an exceptionally large shrimp.

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Vocabulary lists containing exceptionally

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But AI spending has made the current difference exceptionally wide: S&P companies are expected to earn $2.8 trillion this year but generate only $1.9 trillion in free cash.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Many autistic people also have alexithymia, a trait that makes it exceptionally difficult to identify and describe emotions, and have been stymied by questions intended to assess their internal state.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

With competitive three-tier pricing starting at $3.49/month, it offers a refined, “set-it-and-forget-it” experience that reliably unblocks global content and performs exceptionally well even in restrictive jurisdictions.

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2026

A series of unfamiliar names, dates and events has little meaning without such knowledge or, at least, an exceptionally wise and intuitive guide.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

“It must be exceptionally awful to be you today. I bet all the ladies were begging you to protect them from the murderer inside our walls.”

From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023