exemption

American  

[ig-zemp-shuhn] / ɪgˈzɛmp ʃən /

noun

exemptions plural

1. the circumstances of a taxpayer, such as their age or number of dependents, that allow them to make certain deductions from taxable income.

2. the act of exempting.

3. the state of being exempted; immunity.

   Synonyms:

   exception

   Antonyms:

   liability

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Synonym Usage

Exemption, immunity, impunity imply special privilege or freedom from imposed requirements. Exemption implies release or privileged freedom from some duty, tax, etc.: exemption from military service. Immunity implies freedom from a penalty or from some liability, especially one that is disagreeable or threatening: immunity from disease. Impunity (limited mainly to the fixed expression with impunity ) primarily suggests freedom from punishment: The police force was so inadequate that crimes could be committed with impunity.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonexemption
  noun
• preexemption
  noun
• exemptive
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• exemptions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of exemption

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin exemptiōn- (stem of exemptiō ) “removal.” See exempt, -ion

Explanation

When you get an exemption, you don't have to do something. In the sixties, some people got exemptions from military service during the Vietnam War. We don't often think of being left out as a good thing, but when you use the word exemption, you mean that someone has been excluded in a positive way. Children are exemptions, or deductions, on tax forms; the more children you have the less taxes you pay. Some non-profits are tax-exempt; their exemption means they pay no taxes at all. Exemptions also spare people from fighting in wars and doing some jobs. An exemption gets you off the hook.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

exemption exemptions

The retailer said it has been adversely affected by the scrapping in 2025 of a tariff exemption for low-value goods entering the U.S., leading to an increase in fulfillment expenses and weighing on overall revenues.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

"The removal of the US de minimis exemption has had an adverse impact on our sales in the US and the overall growth of our net revenues," Shein said in the filing.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

All of those covered by the exemption will pay the levy initially, but can claim it back at a later date.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

Second, increase the primary-home capital-gains exemption to $500,000 for single taxpayers and $1 million for joint taxpayers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

But without any high-ranking connections, they didn’t have a way to ask for an exemption to the Red Zone executive order.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

Existing AI systems have until December 2 to adapt to the new rules, and there are exemptions for "artistic, creative, satirical,  fictional" work.

From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026

There are a few exemptions when a team-mate will not have to go off.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

“The focus is likely to shift towards exemptions, country-specific negotiations, sectoral investigations and the risk of additional tariff rounds,” he added.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

The third makes it clear to all Israelis that no group will enjoy systematic exemptions from service to the state.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

The only exemptions were mothers who already had four children or women with significant standing in the Communist Party.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

Related Words

• discharge
• dispensation
• exception
• immunity
• privilege