TRANSCEND Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'transcend' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of transcend are exceed , excel , outdo , outstrip , and surpass . While all these words mean "to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree," transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits. // transcended the values of their culture

Q: When would 'exceed' be a good substitute for 'transcend'?

While the synonyms exceed and transcend are close in meaning, exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement. // exceed the speed limit

Q: In what contexts can 'excel' take the place of 'transcend'?

In some situations, the words excel and transcend are roughly equivalent. However, excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others. // excels in mathematics

Q: When can 'outdo' be used instead of 'transcend'?

The synonyms outdo and transcend are sometimes interchangeable, but outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before. // outdid herself this time

Q: Where would 'outstrip' be a reasonable alternative to 'transcend'?

Although the words outstrip and transcend have much in common, outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition. // outstripped other firms in sales

Q: When might 'surpass' be a better fit than 'transcend'?

The words surpass and transcend can be used in similar contexts, but surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill. // the book surpassed our expectations

transcend

verb

tran(t)-ˈsend

Definition of transcend next

as in to exceed

to be greater, better, or stronger than a man whose practical knowledge of botany transcends that of his more educated colleagues

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lose (to)

as in to surpass

to go beyond the limit of a person who believes that any true understanding of God transcends human intelligence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb transcend contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of transcend are exceed, excel, outdo, outstrip, and surpass. While all these words mean "to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree," transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.

transcended the values of their culture

When would exceed be a good substitute for transcend?

While the synonyms exceed and transcend are close in meaning, exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.

exceed the speed limit

In what contexts can excel take the place of transcend?

In some situations, the words excel and transcend are roughly equivalent. However, excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.

excels in mathematics

When can outdo be used instead of transcend?

The synonyms outdo and transcend are sometimes interchangeable, but outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

Where would outstrip be a reasonable alternative to transcend?

Although the words outstrip and transcend have much in common, outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

When might surpass be a better fit than transcend?

The words surpass and transcend can be used in similar contexts, but surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of transcend The energy that humans bring to their craft is undeniable, often transcending their message and helping unlock new ideas in unrelated disciplines. —

Bill Connolly, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2024 Before his death in 2019, Kevin Killian published more than one million words across nearly 2,400 Amazon reviews—a collection of writing that transcends its humdrum genre. —

Brendan Fitzgerald, Longreads, 26 Dec. 2024 To engage with office politics in a productive way, the key is approaching things in a way that transcends personal goals. —

Robert Satterwhite, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 This unwavering dedication can transform ordinary moments into extraordinary achievements, transcending mere intentions. —

Mo Hamzian, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for transcend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for transcend

Verb

Projects must be feature dramas or animations intended for commercial theatrical exhibition in Hong Kong, with a runtime of at least 80 minutes and a production budget not exceeding $7.7 million.

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025
Those losses would far exceed the $12.5 billion in insured damages from the 2018 Camp Fire, which until now was the costliest blaze in the country’s history, according to data from Aon.

Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025