exemplary
exemplary Lexical Profile
exemplary Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Serving as a desirable model; representing the best of its kind and worthy of imitation.
"The officer received a commendation for her exemplary conduct during the emergency."
Serving as a typical example or illustration of a broader category or phenomenon.
"The novel is exemplary of the literary movement that emerged after the war."
Serving as a warning or deterrent to others, especially by the severity of a punishment or legal award.
"The judge imposed an exemplary sentence to deter future corporate fraud."
Word Nuance & Usage
While "exemplary" most commonly means worthy of imitation as a positive model, in legal contexts (as in "exemplary damages" or an "exemplary sentence") it means serving as a deterrent or warning by making an example of an offender.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Late Latin exemplarius ('serving as a pattern or model'), from Latin exemplum ('a sample or pattern'), literally 'that which is taken out', from eximere ('to take out').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.