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 White House said the global exemption was being used to "evade tariffs and funnel deadly synthetic opioids" to the US.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

Volvo, which has the same majority owner, won an exemption for unspecified reasons.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

The judge noted that any exemption permitting the use of cannabis for religious purposes would require a sound constitutional and legal foundation.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

The legislature voted against an exemption she wanted for a project in one town.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

She had had three weeks of happy exemption from Mr. Elton; and Harriet’s mind, she had been willing to hope, had been lately gaining strength.

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

There are some exceptions to these rules and these exemptions may include:

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 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

Hochul also said she would pursue legislation to repeal sales tax exemptions for massive data centers in the state.

From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026

By the time the early months of 1945 rolled in, everyone was looking for exemptions from duty.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• discharge
• dispensation
• exception
• immunity
• privilege