excel

verb ex·cel \ ik-ˈsel \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: excel in a Sentence

Definition of excel

excelled; excelling

transitive verb

: to be superior to : surpass in accomplishment or achievement

intransitive verb

: to be distinguishable by superiority : surpass others

excel in sports

excelled at lipreading

See excel defined for English-language learners

See excel defined for kids

Examples of excel in a Sentence

She excels everyone else in sports.
the special effects in this new sci-fi extravaganza excel any that we've seen previously

Recent Examples of excel from the Web

The historic night spurred a wave of self-congratulatory behavior within the industry, as many applauded the foundation’s progressive view of black culinary talent, Southern food and the potential for minorities to excel on a national stage.

— justin phillips, San Francisco Chronicle, "Black chefs hopeful, skeptical as culinary world grows more inclusive," 28 May 2018
For all its myriad policy failings, the one thing at which this White House has managed to excel is making life in America hell for brown people.

— jay willis, GQ, "Making Life Hell for Brown Immigrants Is the One Thing The Administration Excels At," 25 May 2018
Waubonsie Valley students excel at state competition Students from Waubonsie Valley High School recently earned seven gold medals during the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America State Leadership Conference held in Springfield.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "Naperville People in the News," 15 May 2018
Conventional antibodies excel at sticking to flat surfaces on viral and bacterial molecules.

— mitch leslie, Science | AAAS, "Mini-antibodies discovered in sharks and camels could lead to drugs for cancer and other diseases," 10 May 2018
Virgo moons excel at creating comprehensive, dynamic systems for themselves and, perhaps even more importantly, for others.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What Your Moon Sign Reveals About Your Emotional Personality," 23 Apr. 2018
Other researchers worry, though, that no matter how good the selection process, relying only on measures of intelligence will fail to find children with the potential to excel in adult life.

— The Economist, "How and why to search for young Einsteins," 22 Mar. 2018
Peralta, who was added to Milwaukee's 40-man roster in the offseason and had been excelling at Class AAA Colorado Springs prior to his callup on May 13, will be in wait-and-see mode for the time being.

— todd rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "No decisions yet about Freddy Peralta's status with the Brewers," 20 May 2018
At the time, counterterrorism was also a less coveted assignment, and an area where women were getting significant jobs and excelling at them.

— shane harris, Washington Post, "Gina Haspel confirmed as CIA chief despite scrutiny of her role in interrogation program," 17 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of excel

Middle English excellen, from Latin excellere, from ex- + -cellere to rise, project; akin to Latin collis hill — more at hill

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

excel Synonyms

Phrases

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

Synonym Discussion of excel

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.