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Synonyms

exempt

American  
[ig-zempt] / ɪgˈzɛmpt /

verb (used with object)

  1. to free from an obligation or liability to which others are subject; release.

    A grade above B+ is required in order to exempt a student from an examination.

    Synonyms:
    except, relieve, excuse

adjective

  1. released from, or not subject to, a particular obligation or liability, such as income tax.

    Charities and other exempt organizations must still file an information return with the IRS.

  2. U.S. Law. relating to or being an employee to whom certain obligations imposed on employers under the Fair Labor Standards Act do not apply, generally because skill level and remuneration are relatively high or work is of a kind that cannot be strictly scheduled.

    Executive employees and creative professionals are among those considered exempt under the FLSA.

noun

  1. a person who is exempt from an obligation, duty, etc.

  2. (in Britain) exon.

exempt British  
/ ɪɡˈzɛmpt /

verb

  1. (tr) to release from an obligation, liability, tax, etc; excuse

    to exempt a soldier from drill

"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

adjective

  1. freed from or not subject to an obligation, liability, tax, etc; excused

    exempt gilts

    tax-exempt bonus

  2. obsolete set apart; remote

"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

noun

  1. a person who is exempt from an obligation, tax, etc

"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

Other Word Forms

  • exemptible adjective
  • exemption noun
  • nonexempt adjective
  • preexempt verb (used with object)
  • quasi-exempt adjective
  • unexempt adjective
  • unexempted adjective
  • unexemptible adjective
  • unexempting adjective

Etymology

Origin of exempt

First recorded in 1325–75; (adjective) Middle English, from Old French, from Latin exemptus, past participle of eximere “to take out, free, release,” equivalent to ex- ex- 1 + emptus (past participle of emere “to buy, obtain”); (verb) late Middle English exempten, from Old French exempter, derivative of adjective exempt

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.

The measure would exempt directly held real estate, pensions and retirement accounts from the calculation of net worth.

From Los Angeles Times

“The downside risk to copper is a reversal of flows to the U.S. if the refined metal is again exempt from tariffs, which could push inventory into global markets,” analysts at ING said.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The downside risk to copper is a reversal of flows to the U.S. if the refined metal is again exempt from tariffs, which could push inventory into global markets.”

From Barron's

"Digital platforms are not exempt from the law," Zawedde said, adding that the Computer Misuse Act applied fully to online conduct, including the spread of false information and offensive communication.

From BBC

“Captain Kelly’s status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action,” Hegseth wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal