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Iconic vs Exemplary - What's the difference?

iconic | exemplary |

As adjectives the difference between iconic and exemplary

is that iconic is relating to, or having the characteristics of, an icon while exemplary is deserving honour, respect and admiration.

As a noun exemplary is

(obsolete) an example, or typical instance; an exemplar.

iconic

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Relating to, or having the characteristics of, an icon.
  • Famously and distinctively representative of its type.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=April 29 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Treehouse of Horror III” (season 4, episode 5; originally aired 10/29/1992) citation , page= , passage=In time The Simpsons would, indeed, resort to spoofing such decidedly non-spooktacular fare like E.T and Mr. And Mrs. Smith (both in “Treehouse Of Horror XVIII”) but in 1992 the field was wide-open and the show could cherry-pick the most iconic and beloved fright fare of all time.}}
  • (linguistics) Representing something; symbolic.
    • an iconic gesture in sign language

    Antonyms

    * (relating to an icon) aniconic * (linguistics) batonic

    exemplary

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Deserving honour, respect and admiration.
  • Of such high quality that it should serve as an example to be imitated.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • [Bishops'] lives and doctrines ought to be exemplary .
  • Ideal or perfect.
  • Serving as a warning; monitory.
    • as, exemplary justice, punishment, or damages

    Related terms

    * exemplative

    Noun

    (exemplaries)
  • (obsolete) An example, or typical instance; an exemplar
  • (obsolete) A copy of a book or writing.
    • (Donne)