exempt

1 of 3

adjective

ex·​empt ig-ˈzem(p)t How to pronounce exempt (audio)
Synonyms of exemptnext
1
: free or released from some liability or requirement to which others are subject
was exempt from jury duty
the estate was exempt from taxes
2
obsolete : set apart

exempt

2 of 3

verb

exempted; exempting; exempts

transitive verb

: to release or deliver from some liability or requirement to which others are subject
exempted from military service

exempt

3 of 3

noun

: one exempted or freed from duty

Examples of exempt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
But some early withdrawals from IRAs for specific uses are exempt from the 10% penalty. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 In the lawsuit, the alliance says that 33 states have enacted safe harbor laws clarifying that health care sharing ministries are exempt from the state insurance code. — Alana Semuels, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
Companies seeking to set up shop in China are normally made to sign onto a joint venture with a Chinese firm, a way for China to make sure its own companies are dominating its internal market – Tesla has been exempted from that requirement. — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 On Tuesday, a House committee advanced a bill that would revoke previous provisions exempting specific information about defunct insurance companies from public records requests. — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
One additional player may be added to each draw as a special exempt. — Adam Baum, The Enquirer, 20 July 2022 The electric-car maker clashed with Fremont officials last month over whether its factory was an essential business exempt from shutdown orders. — BostonGlobe.com, 26 Apr. 2020 See All Example Sentences for exempt

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin exemptus, past participle of eximere to take out — more at example

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1532, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exempt was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing exempt

Rhymes for exempt

See All Rhymes for exempt

Browse Nearby Words

exemplum
exempt
exempt carrier
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exempt. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

exempt

1 of 2 adjective
ex·​empt ig-ˈzem(p)t How to pronounce exempt (audio)
: free or released from some requirement that others must meet or deal with

exempt

2 of 2 verb
: to make exempt

Legal Definition

exempt

1 of 2 adjective
ex·​empt ig-ˈzempt How to pronounce exempt (audio)
: free or released from some obligation or duty to which others are subject : not subject or liable
certain properties are declared to be exempt and cannot be taken by a person's creditors— J. H. Williamson

exempt

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to release or exclude from some liability (as in taxation), obligation, or duty to which others are subject
exempts the income of a spendthrift trust— W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.

More from Merriam-Webster on exempt

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for exempt

Nglish: Translation of exempt for Spanish Speakers

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