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
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 Clear and sunny skies are also excepted with no rain in the forecast. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 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. protest
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
  • There has been a lot of agita in 2026 from people objecting to the use of their image, voice, story, music, or sculpture without permission.
    — Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • But Galanis said the trip never happened after her daughter objected.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of object
Verb
  • The remaining argument, worth $36 billion by one count and a couple of state budgets by another, is about who licenses it, who is excluded from it, and who collects the tax.
    — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • For the most part, that excludes animal fibers like leather and virgin cashmere.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 4 Aug. 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
  • Parents keep complaining to me that their kids are sedentary at school, even though humans need to keep moving throughout the day to be healthy.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Aside from social media posts complaining about the war’s fallout and some grumbling from oligarchs about the Kremlin seizing their assets, there are still no signs of any widespread popular unrest against Vladimir Putin’s regime.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • The Collective Bargaining Agreement banned two-a-days long ago.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Wildlife officials are banning fishing during certain hours on rivers and streams across the West, following an exceptionally dry winter and amid widespread drought.
    — Matthew Brown, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of ban
Preposition
  • Perhaps just as remarkably, Tyland Lannister vows to die beside him.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Reiss opened a ledger, which was just a notebook page listing items beside tally marks.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of beside
Verb
  • Mukhopadhyay said the minister’s resignation has made people less fearful of protesting against a government that critics have long accused of suppressing dissent.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Students at Willa Cather Elementary School hold their fists up to protest school closures as thousands gather at Union Park before marching to Grant Park for the May Day march on May 1, 2025, in Chicago.
    — Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of protest

Phrases Containing except

Browse Nearby Words

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 5 Aug. 2026.

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