transcend

verb tran·scend \ tran(t)-ˈsend \

|Updated on: 16 Aug 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 circle is meant to transcend not only tribal affiliation but time itself.

— author: hannah natanson, Anchorage Daily News, "Design chosen for first national monument to Native American veterans," 27 June 2018
Nike sold out in minutes as the uniforms have transcended the world of soccer and into fashion.

— connor grossman, SI.com, "The Story Behind Nigeria's Vibrant World Cup Jerseys," 25 June 2018
Can love ever transcend the strata of race, class, and entitlement?

— hannah giorgis, The Atlantic, "Rumaan Alam Ponders the Limits of Parental Love," 15 May 2018
Season 2 gives us a run of deliriously energetic and surprising episodes that help the legal drama transcend its case-of-the-week format.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "The 10 best TV shows of 2018 (so far)," 27 June 2018
Kanye, Cudi, Pusha, and Nas may be able to transcend the disarray that West wrought upon this lineup of releases, but the stakes are much higher for Taylor, a woman and a less established artist.

— hannah giorgis, The Atlantic, "Teyana Taylor’s Music Has Matured, but Has Her Label?," 25 June 2018
The income-inequality conversation seems to have transcended normal class-warfare rhetoric.

— david l. bahnsen, National Review, "A New Era of Angst and How to Navigate It," 13 Feb. 2018
His chief concern is the language of the sublime, the embrace of awe, how to transcend the quotidian crush of our lives.

— william giraldi, The Seattle Times, "Denis Johnson’s posthumous story collection is a thrilling gift from the grave," 4 Feb. 2018
Just as art transcends borders and language, so does soccer.

— dylan jackson, miamiherald, "It's not just bars. From art museums to fundraisers, Miami has World Cup fever," 10 July 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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