exceed

verb

ex·​ceed ik-ˈsēd 

exceeded; exceeding; exceeds

transitive verb

1

: to be greater than or superior to

2

: to go beyond a limit set by

exceeded his authority

3

: to extend outside of

the river will exceed its banks

intransitive verb

1

: predominate

2

obsolete : overdo

Synonyms

• break
• outreach
• outrun
• overpass
• overreach
• overrun
• overshoot
• overstep
• surpass
• transcend

Choose the Right Synonym for exceed

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 exceed in a Sentence

The cost must not exceed 10 dollars.

The cost exceeded our estimate.

The demand for new housing has already exceeded the supply.

He's trying to match or exceed last year's sales.

Recent Examples on the Web

Although the stock has since bounced back and exceeded its previous highs – achieving $130.18 in May 2025 – its past indicates susceptibility to macroeconomic challenges. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025

Traditional taxis cost less than half that, but the journey can exceed 90 minutes in traffic. —Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025

As of Wednesday, the campaign exceeded its goal, raising $50.1 million — marking the largest fundraising effort in the CSO’s 93-year history. —Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2025

The total value of the Reyes contract will not exceed $22,386,411 plus a 10% contingency of $2,238,641 for a total of $24,625,052, according to a SANDAG staff report, adding that the total exceeded the estimate because of delays and inflation. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English exceden, from Middle French exceder, from Latin excedere, from ex- + cedere to go

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Rhymes for exceed

• accede
• agreed
• airspeed
• alkyd
• bindweed
• chickweed
• concede
• decreed
• duckweed
• flaxseed
• impede
• indeed

Kids Definition

exceed

verb

ex·​ceed ik-ˈsēd 

1

: to be greater than

the cost must not exceed ten dollars

2

: to go or be beyond the limit