Exemplary
adj.capable, thoughtfulprofessional
What it means
So strong in conduct or quality that it deserves to serve as a model.
Reach for it when praising work others could beneficially imitate
Her exemplary notes made the next shift both safer and faster.
Choose between these
6- playful
textbook
when conduct closely matches a familiar standard
not when The term can sound mechanical or ironic and may praise conformity over judgment.
- everyday
when superior quality is enough
not when Outstanding work may be unique and therefore impossible or unwise to imitate.
- warm
when a near-perfect fit for the purpose deserves emphasis
not when An ideal may be aspirational, while exemplary points to an actual example.
- professional
when an example can be deliberately copied
not when Model can describe an idealized pattern that has not been tested in practice.
- formal
when an action merits approval despite an imperfect result
not when Commendable gives measured approval but stops short of exemplary model quality.
- literary
when dependable character or service has proved excellent
not when Sterling is uncommon and does not explicitly invite imitation.
Said against
4- disgraceful
- poor
- unworthy
- faulty
It naturally appears in
3- exemplary conduct
The captain's exemplary conduct included reporting her own error first.
- exemplary service
His exemplary service combined speed with patient explanation.
- exemplary record
The clinic maintained an exemplary record of informed consent.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English adjective, adjective sense meaning worthy of imitation opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.