surpass

verb

sur·​pass sər-ˈpas 

surpassed; surpassing; surpasses

transitive verb

1

: to become better, greater, or stronger than : exceed

surpassed her rivals

surpassed all expectations

2

: to go beyond : overstep

3

: to transcend the reach, capacity, or powers of

a beauty that surpasses description

surpassable

sər-ˈpa-sə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of surpass

• exceed

Choose the Right Synonym for surpass

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 surpass in a Sentence

Attendance is expected to surpass last year's record.

Last quarter, sales surpassed two million.

His work regularly surpasses all expectations.

Recent Examples on the Web

The figure surpasses the Nike founder’s previous $2 million donations to the same PAC in 2023 and 2024, the outlet noted. —Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025

Decker surpassed the 10 million subscriber mark on YouTube in 2022 after taking just 3 years to master the Google platform’s algorithms to win over video viewers and increase their watch time. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025

On Monday, Alibaba said its Qwen app, the Chinese giant's rival to OpenAI's ChatGPT, surpassed 10 million downloads within the first week of its public launch. —Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2025

The European Linen Sheet Set at Quince is only $180 and surpasses its expensive competitor in feel, weight, and quality. —Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French surpasser, from sur- + passer to pass

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for surpass

• alas
• amass
• bromegrass
• bypass
• chagas
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass
• impasse

Kids Definition

surpass

verb

sur·​pass sər-ˈpas 

1

: to be greater, better, or stronger than

2

: to go beyond the reach, powers, or capacity of

surpassable

-ə-bəl 

adjective