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 by morning.

intransitive verb

1

: predominate

2

obsolete : overdo

Synonyms of exceed

• surpass

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

By the end of the evening, pledges exceeding $300 million had been secured. —Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 17 Mar. 2026

The discount is particularly useful for travelers planning to attend premium events such as playoff games, arena concerts, or high-demand theater shows, since ticket prices for those experiences often exceed the $150 minimum required to activate the promotion. —Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2026

However, even with these regulations, accidents can still occur if drain covers break, loosen or exceed their expiration date. —Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026

In a decade, spending on street outreach increased by more than 1,000% — now exceeding $300 million a year — while unsheltered homelessness increased by 22%. —Barbara A. Blair, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026

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