Find Synonyms

exceptional Synonyms

Another word for exceptional

Choosing another word for exceptional depends on context, so the 17 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• adjective (Context 1)

Unusually good; outstanding or superior in quality, ability, or degree.

Usage Example

"The young violinist demonstrated outstanding talent during her debut recital."

Strongest
outstanding
extraordinary
remarkable
Strong
superb
excellent
phenomenal
prodigious
first-rate

• adjective (Context 2)

Unusual or not typical; forming an exception to a general rule or pattern.

Usage Example

"Late-stage applications will only be considered under unusual circumstances."

Strongest
unusual
uncommon
atypical
Strong
out of the ordinary
rare
anomalous
irregular
unprecedented

• adjective (Context 3)

Having physical, intellectual, or behavioral characteristics that differ significantly from the norm, such as being gifted or having a learning disability, and therefore requiring specialized educational services.

Usage Example

"The school district expanded its resources and curriculum for special-needs learners."

Strong
special-needs

Opposites of exceptional

The opposite of exceptional shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

mediocre
typical
normal
standard
average
usual
ordinary
inferior
See all opposites of exceptional

• Nearby Words

except
excepting
exception
exceptional
exceptionalism
exceptionally
excerpt

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Exceptional. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/exceptional
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