exemplary
AdjectiveUS[ig-zem-pler-ee]/ɪɡˈzɛmplɚi/4 syllables
Open English WordNet
Adjective (3)
- worthy of imitation“exemplary behavior”“model citizens”Synonyms: modelOpposite unworthySimilar worthy
- being or serving as an illustration of a type“the free discussion that is emblematic of democracy”“an action exemplary of his conduct”Synonyms: emblematictypicOpposite untypicalSimilar typical
- serving to warn“shook a monitory finger at him”“an exemplary jail sentence”Synonyms: admonitorycautionarymonitorywarningOpposite persuasiveSimilar dissuasive
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Ex′em·pla·ry adjective
Origin: L. exemplaris, fr. exemplar: cf. F. exemplaire. See Exemplar.
1. Serving as a pattern; deserving to be proposed for imitation; commendable; as, an exemplary person; exemplary conduct.
[Bishops'] lives and doctrines ought to be exemplary.— Francis, Baron Verulam Bacon
2. Serving as a warning; monitory; as, exemplary justice, punishment, or damages.
3. Illustrating as the proof of a thing. Thomas Fuller
Exemplary damages. Law See under Damage.
Ex′em·pla·ry noun
An exemplar; also, a copy of a book or writing. obsolete John Donne
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54