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

Rigid donor unlocks potential new designs Although laboratory organic solar cells have now surpassed 20% power conversion efficiency, researchers have continued searching for ways to reduce voltage losses while maintaining photocurrent. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026

Shipments totaled $930 billion in the first 10 months of 2026, surpassing the $900 billion mark for the first time. — Lim Hui Jie,jenny Lee, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026

But this Sunday, on which the 2026 race was held, surpassed all years prior. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026

But what unfolded in Tokyo at the inaugural Polofest surpassed mere fandom, stretching into the realm of infatuation, obsession, or perhaps even a touch of cultish devotion. — Zachary Weiss, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2026

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
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass
• impasse
• jackass

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