transcend

verb

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tran·scend | \ tran(t)-ˈsend

transcended; transcending; transcends

Definition of transcend

transitive verb

1a : 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

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym When Should You Use transcend? Example Sentences Learn More about transcend

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web But talented people are always going to want to transcend self-expression and try to write the best song, the most stunning poem, the painting that gets everyone talking. — Washington Post, "Maradona was great, and maybe the greatest. Can we make similar claims about artists?," 25 Dec. 2020 What Chris covered was not redemption, but a story little told in American history, updated with a determination to remember the past—and transcend it. — National Geographic, "A century after massacre, descendants make a point of voting," 6 Nov. 2020 Simone Leigh is renowned for creating artworks that transcend race and gender to celebrate Black women and give them a voice. — Fox News, "Sculptor will be 1st Black woman to represent US at Biennale," 14 Oct. 2020 And yet, in their encyclopedic ambition, Patwardhan’s films frequently transcend their political purpose and now seem like alternative histories of their time. — New York Times, "India’s Leading Documentary Filmmaker Has a Warning," 1 Dec. 2020 Both parties are realizing these matters transcend Brexit. — Joseph C. Sternberg, WSJ, "Britain Already Is Beyond Brexit," 17 Dec. 2020 El Paso is now struggling to summon the solidarity to transcend indifference and fatigue as scores of people are dying each day in a persisting pandemic. — Washington Post, "El Paso was still grieving when the coronavirus arrived. Now, death has overwhelmed it.," 26 Nov. 2020 Frum is confident the spirit of Christmas – even an unconventional Christmas – will transcend the clutches of a public health crisis. — Susan Miller, USA TODAY, "Christmas during COVID: USPS launches Operation Santa with new digital letter adoption," 16 Nov. 2020 Show the people of our state that lives transcend the political divide. — Star Tribune, "Readers Write: Minneapolis police, protests, COVID restrictions, the presidential election," 11 Nov. 2020

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.