exceed

verb ex·ceed \ ik-ˈsēd \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of exceed

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

The real estate investment trust posted revenue of $72.2 million in the period, also exceeding Street forecasts.

— Fox News, "EastGroup Properties: 1Q Earnings Snapshot," 19 Apr. 2018
Whether that translates into Democrats falling just short or exceeding the bar necessary to gain control of the House is simply unknowable at this time.

— harry enten, CNN, "The Democrats' lead in House polling is tightening. Here's what it means," 19 Apr. 2018
In one day, the GoFundMe campaign raised more than $5,000 – quickly exceeding its $1,000 goal.

— CBS News, "People are crowdfunding to buy Elon Musk a new couch after "CBS This Morning" report," 18 Apr. 2018
Coca cultivation has doubled in Colombia since 2012, and currently exceeds 188,000 hectares, according to U.S. estimates.

— Washington Post, "Colombia could use drones to fight cocaine production," 18 Apr. 2018
Alabama, Michigan and Rhode Island were the only three states who met or exceeded all ten benchmarks used to determine program quality.

— trisha powell crain, AL.com, "Alabama First Class Pre-K tops nation in quality for 12th year," 18 Apr. 2018
But the 29-hour work requirement is still unreasonable and grossly exceeds the 20-hours a week requirement in the SNAP (food stamps) program.

— kathleen gray, Detroit Free Press, "Have Medicaid? New Michigan bill may force you to work," 18 Apr. 2018
Profits exceeded $500,000 in 1985, and today, NIOSA nets roughly $1.5 million.

— jeanne jakle, San Antonio Express-News, "As NIOSA turns 70, nostalgic revelers share treasured and goofy moments," 18 Apr. 2018
Over the last six years, tenants across the country have seen increases in the median rent exceed inflation for non-housing expenses by 1 percent each year.

— patrick sisson, Curbed, "A collective land-ownership model could put the brakes on rising real estate costs.," 17 Apr. 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.