surpass

verb

sur·​pass sər-ˈpas How to pronounce surpass (audio)
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 adjective
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 Who is Amazon founder Jeff Bezos? Bezos, who founded Amazon in 1994 and is currently its chairman, recently surpassed Elon Musk to reclaim the title of World's Richest Man for the first time since 2021, according to the Wall Street Journal. Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2024 But still, the beast has surpassed 270 mph, and that’s impressive as hell. Sean Evans, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024 Iowa's Caitlin Clark became the NCAA's all-time scoring leader on Sunday, surpassing Pete Maravich's career record set in 1970. Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 Michigan’s rate of child maltreatment consistently surpasses the national rate. Jennifer Brookland, Detroit Free Press, 4 Mar. 2024 Turnout in San Diego County has consistently surpassed the statewide turnout in primaries for more than a decade. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024 Bookings for 2022 surpassed those of pre-COVID years, and the summer of 2023 was up another 25 percent, according to Sea Song. Heidi Mitchell, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2024 Heading into the weekend, Warner Bros., the studio behind the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal 1965 novel, conservatively projected a $65 million start, though most box office prognosticators believed that revenues would surpass $80 million. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Mar. 2024 Furthermore, the showman runner, Lyles with expertise in the 100m and 200m after surpassing his competitors on the 60-meter track expressed that these athletes don't possess a chance in the outdoor events. Paras Jan, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'surpass.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French surpasser, from sur- + passer to pass

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of surpass was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near surpass

Cite this Entry

“Surpass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surpass. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

surpass

verb
sur·​pass sər-ˈpas How to pronounce surpass (audio)
1
: to be greater, better, or stronger than
2
: to go beyond the reach, powers, or capacity of
surpassable adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on surpass

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