except 1 of 3

preposition

ik-ˈsept How to pronounce except (audio)
variants also excepting
Definition of exceptnext
as in but
not including the store is open daily except Sundays

Synonyms & Similar Words

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except

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to object
to present an opposing opinion or argument I must except to your remark that there are no great novelists currently living

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to exclude
to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of we'll have to except members who haven't paid their club dues from voting in the election

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

except

3 of 3

conjunction

variants also excepting
as in only
if it were not for the fact that I'd go, except it's too far

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of except
Preposition
No one is allowed inside her home except those helping her, White's representative told Today. — Alaa Elassar, CNN, 25 May 2020 Under Supreme Court precedents related to the principles of separation of power, Congress – one branch of government – cannot remove an official in the executive branch – another branch of government – except by impeachment. — Stanley M. Brand, The Conversation, 22 May 2020
Verb
Highs are excepted to climb to 79 degrees on Wednesday, 84 on Thursday, 88 on Friday and Saturday and 89 on Sunday, before dipping to 88 on Monday, according to the forecast. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026 The chance of precipitation is 60%, with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, excepting the higher amounts possible during thunderstorms. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for except
Recent Examples of Synonyms for except
  1. but
  2. object
  3. exclude
  4. besides
  5. complain
  6. ban
  7. beside
  8. eliminate
Preposition
  • Normally, big job losses trigger massive searches for full-time jobs, but this crisis has been anything but normal.
    — Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 1 June 2020
  • Despite the pleas for calm, the nation seemed anything but as a fitful week drew to a close.
    — Robert Klemko, Washington Post, 30 May 2020
Definition of but
Verb
  • Those who objected to the school board’s actions made comparisons to Nazi book burnings.
    — Susan Farrell, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Her crime was objecting, out loud, when another performer railed against Israel from a stage.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of object
Verb
  • Alternatively, the court could order that materials from the search be excluded from any case against him, and in the extreme, could award Mountbatten-Windsor compensation and a police apology.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Foreigners employed in the country, excluding domestic workers, fell by 16,000 in the three months to June, driven by a drop in construction jobs, according to the government’s quarterly report.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of exclude
Preposition
  • But his death had many contributing factors besides being unable to breath while face down on the ground.
    — Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati.com, 2 June 2020
  • The airline’s crew members and ground services personnel are undergoing detailed health check-ups at regular intervals, besides wearing protective gear at all times.
    — Niharika Sharma, Quartz India, 31 May 2020
Definition of besides
Verb
  • Journalists have complained that the lucrative and high-profile show is not subject to The Atlantic’s editorial rules, input, or oversight — yet a casual listener could easily take it for an Atlantic editorial product.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Kelker-Kelly reportedly had complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive, and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event, police said.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • There's a certain simple logic to the thought of bringing down the price of fuel by banning its export.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Some wealthy countries, including Norway and Kuwait, have imposed strict rules to formally ban sale to teens.
    — Kent Sepkowitz, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of ban
Preposition
  • The Brasserie beside it, a continuation of the same vibe, focuses on French dishes with some good vegetarian options, and hosts a breakfast buffet with lovely local products.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • This season’s fall lineup leans into rich, wearable tones that sit easily beside denim, boots and an oversized knit, the sort of palette that makes getting dressed in low morning light close to automatic.
    — Zoë Mackay, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of beside
Verb
  • Rooms The residence’s apartments and suites are all about modern luxury with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, along with a solid stone ceiling which eliminated any sounds coming in from other rooms.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The nation eliminated the domestic spread of measles in 2000 by maintaining high vaccination rates, but those rates have fallen in recent years to below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of eliminate

Phrases Containing except

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excels
except
excepted
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Cite this Entry

“Except.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/except. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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