Nonexemplary

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Failing to provide a good model or example to follow
2. Characterized by a lack of qualities that would make it a suitable example
3. Describing something that does not represent a standard to be imitated

Etymology: "Nonexemplary" is simply the English prefix "non-" attached to "exemplary," so its history lies mostly in the older word it modifies. "Exemplary" comes from Latin "exemplaris," meaning serving as a copy or pattern, from "exemplum," an example or model. That root also gave English "example" and "exemplar," and the sense of "exemplary" as worthy of imitation grew naturally from the idea of something that serves as a model to copy. The prefix "non-" is the Latin negative, meaning "not," and English has attached it freely to adjectives for centuries. Put together, "nonexemplary" describes conduct or a person that fails to serve as a good model. Its meaning is therefore a plain negation, with no separate history of its own beyond the combination of these two parts.

Synonyms: unexemplary, subpar, inferior

Antonyms: exemplary, model, ideal