Merriam-Webster's Word Central

August 13, 2011

exemplary (adjective): \ig-ZEM-pluh-ree\
What does it mean?: : deserving to be imitated : commendable
How do you use it?: Mara's exemplary performance in the theater camp's summer play was enjoyed and admired by everyone.
Are you a word wiz?: One of our writers is trying to stump you! One of the following sentences uses "exemplary" incorrectly. Which one is it?

A. Zoe is an exemplary student who gets straight A's every term.

B. This book is wonderful, an exemplary piece of literature.

C. Koichiro is highly regarded for his exemplary photographs.

D. The lawyer is expected to exemplary the witness today.

Sentences A, B, and C are excellent examples of the right way to use "exemplary." Sentence D, on the other hand, is a dud. "Exemplary" is an adjective, not a verb. Need a trick to help you use "exemplary" correctly? Remember that "exemplary" means about the same thing as "excellent." If you can substitute "excellent" for "exemplary" in a sentence without changing the meaning, you've probably got a sentence that uses it properly.