exemption

American  

[ig-zemp-shuhn] / ɪgˈzɛmp ʃən /

noun

1. the circumstances of a taxpayer, such as their age or number of dependents, that allow them to make certain deductions from taxable income.

2. the act of exempting.

3. the state of being exempted; immunity.

   Synonyms:

   exception

   Antonyms:

   liability

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Related Words

Exemption, immunity, impunity imply special privilege or freedom from imposed requirements. Exemption implies release or privileged freedom from some duty, tax, etc.: exemption from military service. Immunity implies freedom from a penalty or from some liability, especially one that is disagreeable or threatening: immunity from disease. Impunity (limited mainly to the fixed expression with impunity ) primarily suggests freedom from punishment: The police force was so inadequate that crimes could be committed with impunity.

Other Word Forms

• exemptive adjective
• nonexemption noun
• preexemption noun

Etymology

Origin of exemption

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin exemptiōn- (stem of exemptiō ) “removal.” See exempt, -ion

Explanation

When you get an exemption, you don't have to do something. In the sixties, some people got exemptions from military service during the Vietnam War. We don't often think of being left out as a good thing, but when you use the word exemption, you mean that someone has been excluded in a positive way. Children are exemptions, or deductions, on tax forms; the more children you have the less taxes you pay. Some non-profits are tax-exempt; their exemption means they pay no taxes at all. Exemptions also spare people from fighting in wars and doing some jobs. An exemption gets you off the hook.

Example Sentences

Magyar is also leaving himself wiggle room on whether and how to wean Hungary from Russian energy imports, which Orban maintained under an exemption from EU strictures.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

"To me, it's only fair, because so many other things have already been completely discontinued. So why should this exemption exist if it's going to be damaging?" says Solomon.

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2026

The debate swirls around something called the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, an old edict which gave leagues an antitrust exemption to pool their media rights.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Boss James Shuttleworth told BBC Scotland News the system would be installed, but this would take time and it had applied for an exemption to use the carriages meantime.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

“The magistrate told us that exemption didn’t apply to us.”

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

Related Words

• discharge
• dispensation
• exception
• immunity
• privilege