transcend

verb tran·scend \ tran(t)-ˈsend \

Definition of transcend

transitive verb

1 a :to rise above or go beyond the limits of

b :to triumph over the negative or restrictive aspects of :overcome

c :to be prior to, beyond, and above (the universe or material existence)

2 :to outstrip or outdo in some attribute, quality, or power

intransitive verb

:to rise above or extend notably beyond ordinary limits

See transcend defined for English-language learners

See transcend defined for kids

Examples of transcend in a Sentence

music that transcends cultural boundaries
She was able to transcend her own suffering and help others.
Her concerns transcended local issues.

Recent Examples of transcend from the Web

From everyday jeans to trucker jackets, Levi's transcends fleeting fashion and has established itself a bonafide essential.

— christine flammia, Esquire, "Levi's Just Dropped the Denim Jacket You Need This Fall," 18 Aug. 2017
Watching has transcended habit into ritual, like the prayers of sinners long since fallen by the wayside.

— terry mcdermott, The Seattle Times, "King Felix — and his masterful changeup — gets the royal treatment," 9 Aug. 2017
But his influence transcended football, or sports in general.

— vahe gregorian, kansascity, "As an organ donor, Eric Driskell’s final acts gave new life to others," 4 Aug. 2017
How should a South-African-American woman honor her inheritance, and transcend it?

— amy weiss-meyer, The Atlantic, "What We Lose: A Striking Novel About Filial Grief," 1 Aug. 2017
The discussions of rights and costs and paper stock are pretty engrossing, but a lot less poignant than the personal exploration of what, if anything, can transcend death and loss.

— alexis soloski, New York Times, "In the Hudson Valley, Shakespeare as Man, Myth and Drinking Buddy," 25 July 2017
All over the world, a standard bearer for the rights of the truly downtrodden, a very British girl who transcended nationality.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Looking Back at Princess Diana's Brother's Controversial Eulogy," 24 July 2017
Mooney’s character, James, channels his trademark naiveté and fish-out-of-water persona, but with a level of depth that transcends McCary and Mooney’s past efforts.

— dylan kai dempsey, HWD, "Inside the Strange, Sincere Comedy of Kyle Mooney and Dave McCary," 24 July 2017
A wedge salad was fine, but didn't transcend the usual version, and there wasn't enough blue cheese in the dressing.

— polly campbell, Cincinnati.com, "Review: Trotta's Steak and Seafood keeps old school menu," 12 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'transcend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

When Should You Use transcend?

Great leaders are expected to transcend the limitations of politics, especially during wartime and national crises. A great writer may transcend geographical boundaries to become internationally respected. And certain laws of human nature seem to transcend historical periods and hold true for all times and all places.

Origin and Etymology of transcend

Middle English, from Latin transcendere to climb across, transcend, from trans- + scandere to climb — more at scan

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

transcend Synonyms

Synonyms

beat, better, eclipse, exceed, excel, outclass, outdistance, outdo, outgun, outmatch, outshine, outstrip, overtop, top, tower (over), surpass

Related Words

one-up, outpace, outrace, outrun, overpass; best, clobber, conquer, crush, defeat, drub, lick, master, outcompete, outperform, overcome, overmatch, prevail (over), rout, shame, skunk, subdue, surmount, thrash, trim, triumph (over), trounce, wallop, whip, win (against), worst; outbalance, outweigh, overbear, overshadow, trump

Near Antonyms

lose (to)

Synonym Discussion of transcend

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

TRANSCEND Defined for Kids

transcend

verb tran·scend \ tran-ˈsend \

Definition of transcend for Students

transcended; transcending

1 :to rise above the limits of

The music transcends cultural boundaries.

2 :to do better or more than

The poem transcended all others in its beauty.

Word Root of transcend

The Latin word scandere, meaning “to climb,” gives us the root scend. Words from the Latin scandere have something to do with climbing. To ascend is to climb upward. To descend is to climb downward. To transcend is to rise above or climb over something's limits.