excellence

noun

ˈek-s(ə-)lən(t)s How to pronounce excellence (audio)
Definition of excellencenext
1
as in excellency
exceptionally high quality the annual awards honor excellence in children's literature

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in distinction
a quality that gives something special worth the particular excellence of down in clothing and sleeping bags is its lightness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 excellence The Royal Society in London began in 1660 with the purpose to advance excellence in science. — Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 But the practical race in 2026 is won by mastering both contests at once with absolute capability and radical efficiency, closed excellence and open diffusion, the biggest reliable compute and the smartest use of it. — Mark Minevich, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 Increased regular season importance Arguably the biggest criticism of the current 18-team format is that there was too little reward for teams who demonstrated regular season excellence. — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 University of Michigan Director of Athletics Warde Manuel described the program as the next step in Michigan Athletics' proud tradition of excellence. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for excellence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excellence
  1. excellency
  2. distinction
  3. superiority
  4. value
  5. perfection
  6. advantage
  7. virtue
  8. merit
Noun
  • Education was considered an individual pursuit marked by moral excellency and only the students who did the best in school would have proceeded to higher education.
    — Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Paradise Dynasty, Kang Kang, Long Xing Ji, Hui Tou Xiang, Min Min Pie House (and so many more) should all be household names worthy of recognition for their myriad styles and excellency.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2024
Definition of excellency
Noun
  • Corruption talk blurs the distinctions between these three distinct things.
    — Robert Boatright, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
  • For Leo, that distinction comes from making the highly recognizable papal wardrobe part of his own public style.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of distinction
Noun
  • One side is struggling to turn military superiority into lasting political gains, while the other may need only to survive to claim victory.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The protagonist is legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, depicted as a young samurai who arrives in Kyoto determined to prove his superiority with the blade.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of superiority
Noun
  • Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority CEO Doug Kreulen said Parton’s life exemplified the values the airport seeks to nurture.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026
  • While several major Wall Street financial institutions are set to report their earnings this week, analysts told CNBC that the market is currently more focused on tech stocks, which now need to prove their value.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of value
Noun
  • For a century, the Michelin star has been synonymous with culinary ambition and the pursuit of perfection.
    — Carinne Geil Botta, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • After all, homemade meals with good company are a recipe for perfection.
    — Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of perfection
Noun
  • The Democrats are in their own civil war, which are giving Republicans an opportunity that historically gives them advantage in this election a problem.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Christian Cage took advantage with a low blow on Matt from behind.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of advantage
Noun
  • Alongside them, an 82-year-old lawmaker wages a final battle against powerful religious opposition to change the law — and the belief that endurance is a virtue.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • And ads paid for by the prediction market and gambling industries don’t tout the virtues of those industries.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of virtue
Noun
  • At a five-acre research plot in Clarendon, Texas, the company has been studying roughly 500 cotton varieties, collecting field imagery and genomic information to determine which plants merit further breeding.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The football merit of letting Fernandez go has been less discussed.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of merit

Phrases Containing excellence

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excelled
excellence
excellences
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Cite this Entry

“Excellence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excellence. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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