surpass
verb
transitive verb
Synonyms
- beat
- better
- eclipse
- exceed
- excel
- outclass
- outdistance
- outdo
- outgun
- outmatch
- outshine
- outstrip
- overtop
- top
- tower (over)
- transcend
Example Sentences
Jack Kelly, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 Combined spending on the return to school and college is expected to surpass 2021's record of $108.1 billion. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2022 According to China’s Meteorological Administration, temperatures in these cities are expected to surpass 40 degrees Celsius in the next 24 hours. Shawn Deng, CNN, 23 Aug. 2022 Today, there are approximately 670,000 county residents in this age group, and by 2030, they are expected to surpass 900,000, said Nick Macchione, director of the county’s Health & Human Services Agency. San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2022 Excessive heat warnings are in effect for Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, where the heat index is expected to surpass 110 degrees on Saturday. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2022 The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning through Sunday evening for the Coachella Valley, San Gorgonio Pass and San Diego County deserts, where highs are expected to surpass 110 degrees. Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2022 India is expected to surpass China as the world’s most populous country as soon as next year. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 11 July 2022 Sunday’s temperatures were expected to surpass those on Saturday, when summer-like weather blanketed much of the region and sent crowds to beaches seeking relief. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 22 May 2022 See More Word History
Middle French surpasser, from sur- + passer to pass
1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
surpass
verb
E. B. White, Charlotte's Websurpass
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- exceed
- eclipse
- top
- better
- outstrip
- outdo
- transcend
- outshine
- beat
- outdistance
- outmatch
- excel
- outclass
- outgun
- overcome
- master
- outpace
- overtop
- overshadow
- defeat
- outrun
- outweigh
- best
- outperform
- run rings around
- surmount
- outrace
- conquer
- worst
- run circles around
- go one better
- tower (over)
- subdue
- trounce
- trump
- overmatch
- outcompete
- shame
- lick
- crush
- clobber
- overpass
- one-up
- rout
- overbear
- trim
- whip
- outbalance
- drub
- thrash
- wallop
- skunk
- prevail (over)
- triumph (over)
- win (against)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lose (to)
Synonyms & Similar Words
- exceed
- transcend
- outrun
- overstep
- overrun
- overshoot
- overreach
- outreach
- overpass
- break
- invade
- encroach
- infringe
- entrench
- trespass
- overdo
- overuse
- overwork
- intrench
- overutilize
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of surpass are exceed, excel, outdo, outstrip, and transcend. While all these words mean "to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree," surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.
Although the words exceed and surpass have much in common, exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.
The meanings of excel and surpass largely overlap; however, excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.
The words outdo and surpass can be used in similar contexts, but outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.
While in some cases nearly identical to surpass, outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.
While the synonyms transcend and surpass are close in meaning, transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.