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

The death toll from an earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand continues to rise with one prediction that fatalities could exceed 100,000. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025

It was found that 99.7% of the bigmouth buffalo were over 50 years old — many pushing 80 or 90 and some exceeding 100. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

Following a trial exceeding five hours, Judge Edwin Rijo ruled that Riibe, classified as a witness, should have full rights under Dominican law and unrestricted freedom of movement. —Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025

When water levels are low, the spillway juts out over the dam’s water line, but is activated when the water level exceeds about 440 feet above sea level, per The Los Angeles Times. —Toria Sheffield, People.com, 29 Mar. 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