exempt
7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for exempt, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not required to do, pay, or follow something that otherwise applies.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
excused
released
nontaxable
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Not required to do, pay, or follow something that otherwise applies.
“Charities are exempt from certain taxes.”
Opposites
nonexempt
How to use exempt
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
tax-exempt
exempt from
exempt employee
Etymology
From Latin exemptus, past participle of eximere, "to take out, remove."
Full origin of exempt →Frequently asked questions
What does “exempt” mean?
The word “exempt” means not required to do, pay, or follow something that otherwise applies. In plain terms, free from a rule, duty, or payment that applies to others.
How do you pronounce “exempt”?
“Exempt” is pronounced ihg-ZEHMPT (/ɪɡˈzɛmpt/ in IPA).
How do you use “exempt” in a sentence?
Here is “exempt” used in a sentence: “Charities are exempt from certain taxes.”
What part of speech is “exempt”?
Depending on how it is used, “exempt” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “exempt” come from?
The word “exempt” comes from Latin. From Latin exemptus, past participle of eximere, "to take out, remove.".
Is “exempt” a common word?
“Exempt” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “exempt” have?
“Exempt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not required to do, pay, or follow something that otherwise applies.
What is the difference between exempt and excluded?
Exempt means someone is not required to do, pay, or follow something that otherwise applies, while excluded means someone or something is kept out or left out of consideration entirely. A person can be exempt from a tax while still being counted as part of the taxpayer group.
How is exempt used as a verb versus an adjective?
As an adjective, exempt describes someone or something not required to follow a rule, as in "exempt employees." As a verb, exempt means to officially free someone from an obligation, as in "the law exempts small businesses from the requirement."
What word usually follows exempt in a sentence?
Exempt is typically followed by "from," as in "exempt from tax" or "exempt from military service," to specify the obligation someone is freed from.
