transcend

verb tran·scend \ tran(t)-ˈsend \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: transcend in a Sentence

Editor's Note: When Should You Use transcend?

Definition of transcend

transcended; transcending; transcends

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

The most disheartening part of all of this is the overwhelmingly common narrative that love is a universal common denominator that transcends race.

— michael harriot, The Root, "The All-American Question: Can You Truly Love Black People If You Date Outside Their Race?," 9 May 2018
One of the stronger arguments for unconditionally supporting even bad local teams is that doing so fosters a civic union that transcends class, politics, and other divisions, making small talk possible across otherwise unbridgeable divides.

— derek thompson, The Atlantic, "In Praise of Fair-Weather Fandom," 16 Apr. 2018
Asking us to transcend the symptoms of our illness and do something that isn’t currently within our reach is a patronizing strategy.

— beth mccoll, SELF, "I Have Depression and Anxiety. Please Stop Telling Me to ‘Go for a Run’," 16 Apr. 2018
But because of who Smith is, that arrival can impact the city and the Carolinas in a way that transcends football.

— jourdan rodrigue, charlotteobserver, "Panthers WR Torrey Smith's potential impact on Charlotte is much bigger than football," 31 May 2018
This is cinema that takes inspiration from painting but transcends it, too.

— jason farago, New York Times, "Dad Left a Big Impression: The Renoir Family Inheritance," 30 May 2018
And the restaurant holds to that spirit for the most part, bringing style and substance to a seafood experience that transcends the size of its hometown and its distance from the sea.

— mike sutter, San Antonio Express-News, "Review: McAdoo’s Seafood rides a strong wave in New Braunfels," 10 May 2018
The only race that ever needs transcending is the black race.

— michael harriot, The Root, "The All-American Question: Can You Truly Love Black People If You Date Outside Their Race?," 9 May 2018
But, #Beychella transcended mere festival spectacle to become one of the most expressive moments of black culture so far this year.

— diana budds, Curbed, "How marching bands became tools for cultural and political expression," 25 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

transcend Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Near Antonyms

Related Words

outpace, outrun, overpass;

best, clobber, conquer, crush, defeat, drub, lick, master, overcome, overmatch, prevail (over), rout, shame, skunk, subdue, surmount, thrash, trim, triumph (over), trounce, wallop, whip, win (against), worst;

outbalance, outweigh, overbear, overshadow, trump;

Phrases

go one better, run circles around (or run rings around);

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 English Language Learners

transcend

verb

Definition of transcend for English Language Learners

: to rise above or go beyond the normal limits of (something)

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.

Learn More about transcend

See words that rhyme with transcend Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for transcend Spanish Central: Translation of transcend Nglish: Translation of transcend for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of transcend for Arabic speakers

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