except for

preposition

Definition of except fornext
as in except
not including except for newscasts, I hardly watch any television at all

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 for Currently, employees who leave or retire aren't replaced, except for those on the nursing team, which is hiring but still understaffed. — Kate Wells, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026 The tour program has run continuously almost every year since the Kennedy Center’s opening in 1971, except for a one-year hiatus in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026 Tickets are still available in every section except for the terrace seats on Starlight Theatre’s website. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 The driver of the auto-parts composite wasn’t fat, except for his gut, which could hardly fit behind the steering wheel. — Literary Hub, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for except for
Recent Examples of Synonyms for except for
  1. except
  2. beside
  3. besides
  4. other than
  5. but
Preposition
  • At Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, face masks are required in public areas, except when dining or swimming, capacity of public areas will be limited, and housekeeping and public area attendants will increase their cleaning procedures.
    — Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2020
  • The city advised all residents to stay inside except those going to and from work and anyone seeking or giving emergency care, according to Mayor Eric Garcetti's official Twitter account.
    — NBC News, NBC News, 1 June 2020
Definition of except
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
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
Preposition
  • But which directors other than Nolan have the skills and resources to pull off such a feat?
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 28 July 2026
  • Especially after a clunker of a season in 2025, superstar receiver Justin Jefferson won’t settle for anything other than maniacal attention to detail on and off the field.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 28 July 2026
Definition of other than
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

Browse Nearby Words

excepted
except for
excepting
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Except for.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/except%20for. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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