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

• 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

Before his illustrious football career, Ed excelled at high school basketball, even leading his team to two state titles in 1984 and 1986. —Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025

Colorado’s Travis Hunter won the award last year as a two-way player, excelling at cornerback and wide receiver. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025

The Dallas Cowboys are off to a 2-3-1 start to the season, and while the team is struggling to find its footing behind first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, wide receiver George Pickens has excelled. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2025

Al Najjar is excelling at her craft, and her commitment to the field was recognized earlier this year when she was awarded the 2025-26 California State University Trustees Award for Outstanding Achievement. —Jenelyn Russo, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 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