The adjective exceptional describes things that are out of the ordinary or rare. Exceptional circumstances, for instance, are circumstances that deviate from the norm or from what’s expected. Often, exceptional implies excellence and superiority, as is the case when we talk about someone with exceptional talent. Here, the degree of excellence is what sets the talent apart and makes it an exception.

Something that is apparent is readily seen or perceived; it is obvious. For instance, a solution to a problem that is apparent to all is widely seen and understood—it requires no uncovering or pointing out. However, things are not always what they seem with this wily adjective! Apparent is frequently used to imply room between what is actual and what appears to be true.

Likewise is a versatile adverb that emphasizes similarity. Sometimes it is closer to “also" or "in addition,” and other times it means “similarly” or “in the same way.” It is commonly found with the verb do, as in someone urging another to do likewise, or do the same. And lastly, there’s the conversational likewise, which sometimes stands alone and is functionally equivalent to “me too," "same here," or "right back at you."