Main Entry: ex·ceed

Pronunciation: \ik-ˈsēd\

Function: verb

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

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 : to extend outside of <the river will exceed its banks>
2 : to be greater than or superior to
3 : to go beyond a limit set by <exceeded his authority>intransitive verb 1 obsolete : overdo
2 : predominate

synonyms 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>.