instance vs exception

instance and exception both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
instance	Yes	No	Yes	No
exception	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, exception is a hyponym of instance; that is, exception is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than instance:

Other hyponyms of instance include apology, excuse, case in point, precedent, quintessence, sample, specimen.

instance (noun)	exception (noun)
an item of information that is typical of a class or group	a deliberate act of omission
an occurrence of something	an instance that does not conform to a rule or generalization
	grounds for adverse criticism

instance (verb)	exception (verb)
clarify by giving an example of