Exemplar
What it means
A person or thing worthy of imitation as an excellent model.
Reach for it when praising a concrete example others can learn from
The restored station is an exemplar of thoughtful public design.
Words to choose between 7
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
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| literary |
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playful
poster child
Fits when one case publicly symbolizes a trend
Careful The idiom turns a person into a symbol and often carries irony.
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everyday
prime example
Fits when a clear representative case is meant
Careful A prime example can illustrate something negative.
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warm
Fits when a person's conduct guides other people
Careful Role model applies only to people and can burden them with perfection.
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professional
benchmark
Fits when performance sets a comparison standard
Careful A benchmark measures rather than necessarily merits imitation.
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professional
Fits when a pattern can be copied or studied
Careful Model is broad and can represent something without being excellent.
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formal
Fits when a conceptual standard rather than a real instance matters
Careful An ideal may be unattainable, while an exemplar exists.
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literary
Fits when near-perfect excellence deserves elevated praise
Careful Paragon is stronger and can idealize a person unrealistically.
Opposites 4
- counterexample
- warning
- failure
- disgrace
Common phrases 3
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exemplar of excellence
The workshop became an exemplar of excellence in repair training.
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serve as an exemplar
The pilot could serve as an exemplar for other districts.
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moral exemplar
The biography treats her as a moral exemplar without hiding mistakes.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated