exceed

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb exceed contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of exceed are excel, outdo, outstrip, surpass, and transcend. While all these words 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

When would excel be a good substitute for exceed?

Although the words excel and exceed have much in common, excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.

excels in mathematics

When is it sensible to use outdo instead of exceed?

The words outdo and exceed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

Where would outstrip be a reasonable alternative to exceed?

The synonyms outstrip and exceed are sometimes interchangeable, but outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

When could surpass be used to replace exceed?

In some situations, the words surpass and exceed are roughly equivalent. However, surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

When is transcend a more appropriate choice than exceed?

While the synonyms transcend and exceed are close in meaning, transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.

transcended the values of their culture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exceed The average American adult regularly exceeds the federal recommendation. Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 20 June 2025 The Hartford and the Waterbury lines, which have received millions in state investments to upgrade infrastructure and service, have exceeded pre-pandemic ridership levels. Janhavi Munde, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025 The exception is the X-class since there are flares that have been recorded exceeding 10 times the power of an X-1. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 June 2025 Nationwide, temperatures are forecast to shoot past 90 degrees for around 220 million people, while an additional 35 million people could face temps exceeding 100 degrees next week. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for exceed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exceed
Verb
  • The market could surpass those previous records on Friday or early next week, analysts told CBS MoneyWatch.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 26 June 2025
  • Meanwhile, a 2024 forecast by Research and Markets estimates the digital education sector will surpass $80 billion by 2030, driven by microlearning and online skill monetization.
    Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Among all attacking midfielders in La Liga, Williams completed 112 high turnovers, a figure bettered only by… Raphinha and Yamal.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • There is one place where F1 deviates from standard tropes and betters itself in the process.
    Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Moderna losses top the list with a 1-month median loss of 3.6%, meanwhile.
    Pia Singh, CNBC, 18 June 2025
  • Boston, with its narrower byways and older infrastructure, tops the list of the most accident-prone metro areas overall, with drivers being involved in a crash at an average of once every 3.07 years.
    Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • But the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office this week pegged that growth at just 0.5 percent of GDP over a decade, which higher borrowing costs would eclipse to the tune of $2.8 trillion.
    Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 20 June 2025
  • For the first time, streaming services have eclipsed traditional television in overall U.S. TV viewership, according to a Nielsen report released Tuesday.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exceed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exceed. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on exceed

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