Meaning

(transitive) To exclude; to specify as being an exception..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To exclude; to specify as being an exception.
2. (intransitive) To take exception, to object (to or against).
3. Used to introduce an exception or qualification to something previously stated.
4. Used to introduce a clause, phrase, verb infinitive, adverb or other non-noun complement forming an exception or qualification to something previously stated.
5. (informal) Loosely, used to introduce a contrastive statement explaining why something wasn't successful, didn't happen, etc.
6. (archaic) Unless; used to introduce a hypothetical case in which an exception may exist.

Example Sentences

I find most people annoying — present company excepted, of course!

But this [ban on circumcision] must have been a provocation, as the emperor Antoninus Pius later acknowledged by excepting the Jews.

to except to a witness or his testimony

Yea, but methinks I hear some man except at these words […].

Except thou wilt except against my love.

The Athenians might fairly except against the practise of Democritus to be buried up in honey; as fearing to embezzle a great commodity of their Countrey

he was a great lover of music, and perhaps, had he lived in town, might have passed for a connoisseur; for he always excepted against the finest compositions of Mr Handel.

There was nothing in the cupboard except a tin of beans.

Word Forms

• excepts
• excepting
• excepted
• excepte

Synonyms for except

Antonyms for except

Related Words

When Should You Use Except?

Use except when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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