excel

verb

ex·​cel ik-ˈsel 

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

Synonyms of excel

• exceed
• surpass
• better
• eclipse
• top

Choose the Right Synonym for 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.

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 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 on the Web

Overton already excels as a run-stopper, and can be disruptive as a pass-rusher, but his approach to rushing the passer needs polish. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025

Already a talented athlete at 14, Amari enjoyed and excelled at football, basketball and track and field. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Dec. 2025

The top five most fun cities in this year's ranking are the same as those ranked highest by the company in 2024, suggesting the five cities continue to excel in providing attractions and a wide range of indoor and outdoor entertainment. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025

Best Women’s Top & Sweatshirt Deals Cozy Earth excels at crafting luxe loungewear and knitwear that’s suitable for relaxing at home, traveling, and everything in between. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing excel

• excel oneself

Rhymes for excel

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

excel

verb

ex·​cel ik-ˈsel 

excelled; excelling

: to do or be better than others : surpass

a student who excels in sports

excels her brother at tennis