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

High-performance cultures prioritize excellence and ensure that their teams are equipped to achieve and exceed their goals. —Margaret Graziano, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

The Mets’ spending for the 2021-24 seasons exceeded what the lower-rolling Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates each spent over the past 21 years. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025

Tests showed more than 30 occasions where turbidity stirred up by cruise ships exceeded limits set by the EPA. —Greg Allen, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025

Target — The big-box retailer rose almost 1% after reporting fourth-quarter earnings and revenue that exceeded estimates. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 4 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