exceed

verb ex·ceed \ ik-ˈsēd \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: exceed in a Sentence

Definition of exceed

exceeded; exceeding; exceeds

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

See exceed defined for English-language learners

See exceed defined for kids

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 of exceed from the Web

Permits, at a cost of $5 per day, are valid for a 24-hour period and conservative permit blocks of three permits cannot exceed 72 hours.

— matt sanderson, latimes.com, "LCF City Council seeks feedback from Public Works on better regulating RV parking on streets," 10 July 2018
According to authorities, each of Woods' charges are punishable up to 5 years in prison and or a fine not exceeding $5,000.

— deasia paige, Detroit Free Press, "Southfield man accused of taking photos of women in dressing room," 5 July 2018
The club agrees to communicate its services to elementary, middle and high school students; ensure a supervisory ratio not to exceed 25:1; and seek to align its openings and programs with the district’s calendar.

— david ibata, ajc, "Cherokee schools OK partnership with Boys & Girls Club," 29 June 2018
Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Friday, indicating that Canada wouldn’t exceed the scale of tariffs the US imposed on it.

— zeeshan aleem, Vox, "Canada is matching Trump’s steel tariffs dollar for dollar.," 29 June 2018
The professional engineering services agreement with TEDSI Infrastructure Group Inc. is not to exceed $798,655.98 for the Grand Parkway segment on the west side of Texas 99 from Cinco Ranch Boulevard to Westheimer Parkway.

— karen zurawski, Houston Chronicle, "Precinct 3 to upgrade Katy-area roads," 26 June 2018
The Village Board at its Tuesday meeting approved a contract with Lakota for the next step in the design process, with costs not to exceed $189,000.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Tuneful Tinley Park plans outdoor music plaza," 24 June 2018
The city contract, which is not to exceed $500,000, was a coup, though, for Horsey Buckner.

— jenice armstrong, Philly.com, "So who's behind this black-owned firm tapped to find city's missing millions? | Jenice Armstrong," 21 June 2018
The fee does not exceed $10 per acre per year for land on which the charge is levied or $10 per year for a parcel less than an acre.

— julie gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Fire readiness begins with property checks, new fire truck," 21 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exceed.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of exceed

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

exceed Synonyms

Phrases

go one better, run circles around (or run rings around);

Synonym Discussion of 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

EXCEED Defined for English Language Learners

exceed

verb

Definition of exceed for English Language Learners

: to be greater or more than (something) : to be better than (something)
: to go beyond the limit of (something)

EXCEED Defined for Kids

exceed

verb ex·ceed \ ik-ˈsēd \

Definition of exceed for Students

exceeded; exceeding

1 : to be greater than

The cost must not exceed 100 dollars.

2 : to go or be beyond the limit of

Don't exceed the speed limit.

Word Root of exceed

The Latin word cedere, meaning “to go,” gives us the root ced. Words from the Latin cedere have something to do with going. To precede is to go before. To exceed is to go beyond a limit. To proceed is to go forward. To recede is to go back or away.