WordGarden.iounexceptionable
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Meanings
Adjective
not open to objection or criticism; entirely acceptable
not open to formal objection in a legal or procedural setting
Beyond the definition
Imagine looking at a plan, an argument, or someone's behavior and finding no solid reason to object. That is the idea behind "unexceptionable." It means something is proper, sound, and not open to reasonable criticism.
Think of a legal contract written with such care that neither side finds anything unfair or doubtful in it. Or think of someone's conduct at a formal event being polite, appropriate, and impossible to fault. The word does not usually mean brilliant or exciting. More often, it means the thing is fully acceptable and gives no one a good reason to complain.
"Unexceptionable" describes something that is not open to reasonable objection. It is proper, sound, and acceptable in a way that gives people little or no basis for criticism. The word is fairly formal, and it often appears in contexts where judgment matters, such as legal writing, academic argument, public behavior, or professional standards.
It helps to separate "unexceptionable" from two similar-looking words: "exceptional" and "unexceptional." "Exceptional" means unusually good or remarkable. "Unexceptional" means ordinary and not very memorable. "Unexceptionable" is different from both. Something can be unexceptionable without being impressive. A report, for example, may be dull but still unexceptionable if its facts, tone, and method give no one a valid reason to object.
The word comes from "exceptionable," which means open to objection, with the prefix "un-" meaning "not." So if something is unexceptionable, it cannot easily be criticized on sensible grounds. You might see it in sentences like, "Her conduct throughout the meeting was entirely unexceptionable," or, "The reasoning was clear and unexceptionable." In many cases, the word suggests not greatness but solid correctness: the kind of thing that stands up well because nothing about it seems improper, weak, or questionable.
Examples
- 1
Hiring
She seemed an unexceptionable choice for the job.
- Usage
formal; more common in careful writing than in everyday speech
- 2
Report quality
The report was clear, factual, and entirely unexceptionable.
- 3
Legal procedure
The judge said the search had been carried out in an unexceptionable manner.
- 4
Legal status
The proposal was legally unexceptionable but still unpopular with local residents.
- Domainlegally unexceptionable
acceptable under the law, even if people dislike it
See also
Similar
- unobjectionable
- irreproachable
- acceptable
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- unexceptionable conduct
- unexceptionable credentials
- unexceptionable taste
- unexceptionable in principle
Word family
- exceptionable
Explore
- propriety
- beyond reproach
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- unexceptionableadjective