excel

verb ex·cel \ ik-ˈsel \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 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

One young woman who just wrapped her second-to-last semester pointed out that her peers put pressure on themselves to do it all—excel at school, have a part-time job, experience the party scene—while also performing it all on social media.

— elizabeth kiefer, Glamour, "A Cancellation Plague Is Upon Us—and It's Ruining Our Female Friendships," 13 July 2018
Independent festivals are excelling at gender balance and representation, Eventbrite’s Stephanie Streetcar noted.

— jessica lipsky, Billboard, "Latin Women Take The Reins: Insights From the Latin Alternative Music Conference," 13 July 2018
The account painted a grim picture for the network, which has excelled, thanks to its incredibly discerning taste and prestige-level programming.

— bryan bishop, The Verge, "AT&T plans to expand HBO, but could destroy it in the process," 11 July 2018
He was promoted to the Sky Sox earlier this month after also excelling at Biloxi.

— todd rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Notes: Brewers' outfield depth tested with Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain both out," 29 June 2018
Now, after excelling in Stephen Curry’s absence, Cook is under contract through next season.

— connor letourneau, SFChronicle.com, "Quinn Cook: How Warriors guard found his niche in NBA," 29 June 2018
Darvish was brought in for the sole purpose of excelling in the postseason, and his two crash-and-burn outings in the World Series serve as stark reminders those trade deadline deals fans always clamor for can backfire.

— paul sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish returns to Wrigley mound Wednesday for key simulated game," 19 June 2018
Jefferson is being recruited primarily as a wide receiver after excelling as a playmaker as a junior in 2017.

— chris hayes, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Lyman and Seminole win at Oviedo in spring football," 19 May 2018
After excelling against Houston in the regular season, Towns has struggled to get going offensively through two games in this first round playoff series.

— glynn a. hill, Houston Chronicle, "Karl-Anthony Towns' struggles echo Timberwolves' woes in first 2 games," 19 Apr. 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.