the exception rather than the rule
noun phrase
: not common or usual : not often done, seen, or happening : rare
Friendly customer service seems to be the exception rather than the rule nowadays.
Examples of the exception rather than the rule in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Though, such luxuries are the exception rather than the rule in rural Mongolia.
—
Chris Tharp, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2024
But such memorable scenes were the exception rather than the rule.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2024
Thanks to the current climate, respecting the rights of others, telling the truth, remaining civil, employing language appropriate to the setting, and availing ourselves of productive avenues of disagreement and protest seem to be the exception rather than the rule.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2024
Every interview pointed to the same conclusion: for the CIA, covert electoral interference has become the exception rather than the rule.
—David Shimer, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2020
However, those emerging stars are the exception rather than the rule for most student-athletes.
—Katie Lauer, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
Certainly, such experiences are the exception rather than the rule, yet there are bits that even the world’s most luxurious properties consistently mess up.
—Jonathan Soroff, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2024
To see if perhaps crabs were the exception rather than the rule among arthropods, Full decided to study cockroaches.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Since most top-yielding savings accounts are offered by online banks, in-person customer service tends to be the exception rather than the rule.
—Martha C. White, wsj.com, 2 Oct. 2023
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.
Chris Tharp, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2024
But such memorable scenes were the exception rather than the rule.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2024
Thanks to the current climate, respecting the rights of others, telling the truth, remaining civil, employing language appropriate to the setting, and availing ourselves of productive avenues of disagreement and protest seem to be the exception rather than the rule.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2024
Every interview pointed to the same conclusion: for the CIA, covert electoral interference has become the exception rather than the rule.
—David Shimer, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2020
However, those emerging stars are the exception rather than the rule for most student-athletes.
—Katie Lauer, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
Certainly, such experiences are the exception rather than the rule, yet there are bits that even the world’s most luxurious properties consistently mess up.
—Jonathan Soroff, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2024
To see if perhaps crabs were the exception rather than the rule among arthropods, Full decided to study cockroaches.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Since most top-yielding savings accounts are offered by online banks, in-person customer service tends to be the exception rather than the rule.
—Martha C. White, wsj.com, 2 Oct. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near the exception rather than the rule
Cite this Entry
“The exception rather than the rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20exception%20rather%20than%20the%20rule. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share