exceed

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb exceed contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of exceed are excel, outdo, outstrip, surpass, and transcend. While all these words mean "to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree," exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.

exceed the speed limit

When would excel be a good substitute for exceed?

Although the words excel and exceed have much in common, excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.

excels in mathematics

When is it sensible to use outdo instead of exceed?

The words outdo and exceed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

Where would outstrip be a reasonable alternative to exceed?

The synonyms outstrip and exceed are sometimes interchangeable, but outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

When could surpass be used to replace exceed?

In some situations, the words surpass and exceed are roughly equivalent. However, surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

When is transcend a more appropriate choice than exceed?

While the synonyms transcend and exceed are close in meaning, transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.

transcended the values of their culture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exceed Trump also far exceeded the average speaking time from his first administration. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025 Also, 57% said the president has exceeded his authority since taking office. Sarah Beth Hensley, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2025 But the number of deaths in 2025 has already exceeded last year’s count. Will Carless, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025 Federal departments and agencies report that the average age of their facilities exceeds their 40-50-year design life, with half rated to be in poor or critical condition, and there are multibillion-dollar maintenance backlogs across multiple R&D facilities. Deborah Wince-Smith, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exceed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exceed
Verb
  • The administration has now surpassed what even the strongest proponents of presidential power may have once argued.
    Claire B. Wofford, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Lucid — The electric vehicle stock surged more than 9% after fourth-quarter results surpassed analysts’ estimates on the top and bottom lines.
    Brian Evans, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • No player completed more than his 286 progressive passes in Ligue 1 last season, while only Julien Ponceau could better his 70 progressive carries from a central midfield role.
    Thom Harris, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
  • Since at least 2023, Roche Bobois has been strategically focused on fortifying its position in the Chinese market in order to better tap into the growth potential of the world’s second-largest economy.
    Sofia Celeste, WWD, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Rose was one of baseball’s greats who topped MLB’s all-time hit list with 4,256 over a 24-season career.
    Issy Ronald, Wayne Sterling and Christian Sierra, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Then just last year on the Senior Tour, Frank Bensel Jr. topped them all.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The 19 points marked Bridges’ highest-scoring quarter of the season and eclipsed his full-game output from each of the previous seven games.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Williams and Bernard were the only two receivers to eclipse 150 yards last season, so this group needs more dependable options to take the passing game to the next level.
    Kennington Smith III, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exceed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exceed. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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