surpass

verb

sur·​pass sər-ˈpas 

surpassed; surpassing; surpasses

transitive verb

1

: to become better, greater, or stronger than : exceed

surpassed her rivals

surpassed all expectations

2

: to go beyond : overstep

3

: to transcend the reach, capacity, or powers of

a beauty that surpasses description

surpassable

sər-ˈpa-sə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• beat
• better
• eclipse
• exceed
• excel
• outclass
• outdistance
• outdo
• outgun
• outmatch
• outshine
• outstrip
• overtop
• top
• tower (over)
• transcend

Choose the Right Synonym for surpass

exceed, surpass, transcend, excel, outdo, outstrip 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

surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.

transcended the values of their culture

excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.

excels in mathematics

outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

Examples of surpass in a Sentence

Attendance is expected to surpass last year's record.

Last quarter, sales surpassed two million.

His work regularly surpasses all expectations.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Chicago White Sox have surpassed the 1962 New York Mets for the most losses in modern-day Major League Baseball history. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2024

As a result of the program, the Army surpassed its stated goal of 55,000 accessions by 300. —Mike Brest, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Sep. 2024

The dangers presented by AI could surpass its benefits if these aspects aren’t properly addressed. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2024

This level of change surpasses even the challenges of implementing a new electronic health record system. —Narinder Singh, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French surpasser, from sur- + passer to pass

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

surpass

verb

sur·​pass sər-ˈpas 

1

: to be greater, better, or stronger than

2

: to go beyond the reach, powers, or capacity of

surpassable

-ə-bəl 

adjective