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

Conner surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark this season with a 40-yard run earlier in the matchup. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024

Oh, yes, and this week — as in mid-December — has set new daily high-temperature records for three days in a row, reaching into the 80s and surpassing previous record highs set as far back as 1950. —Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 21 Dec. 2024

In at least a dozen other instances, the filings suggest donors surpassed the limit by a few hundred dollars each during the June 2022 primary election. —Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 21 Dec. 2024

By fostering resilient domestic supply chains, emphasizing workforce development, and prioritizing sustainability, the U.S. can secure its role as a global manufacturing powerhouse—one that may not match China's sheer volume but surpasses it in quality, reliability, and innovation. —Ethan Karp, Forbes, 20 Dec. 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