Synonym Chooser

How does the verb excel contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of excel are exceed, outdo, outstrip, surpass, and transcend. While all these words mean "to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree," excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.

excels in mathematics

Where would exceed be a reasonable alternative to excel?

The words exceed and excel are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.

exceed the speed limit

When is outdo a more appropriate choice than excel?

Although the words outdo and excel have much in common, outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

When can outstrip be used instead of excel?

The words outstrip and excel can be used in similar contexts, but outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

In what contexts can surpass take the place of excel?

The meanings of surpass and excel largely overlap; however, surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

When is it sensible to use transcend instead of excel?

In some situations, the words transcend and excel are roughly equivalent. However, 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 excel Since its establishment, P.S. has excelled in short-form content and social media strategies, driving website traffic and organic engagement. Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 23 June 2025 While there is some overlap in expertise between geriatricians and nurse practitioners, there are areas where nurses typically excel, said Elizabeth White, an assistant professor of health services, policy, and practice at Brown University. Jariel Arvin, Miami Herald, 21 June 2025 Billig excelled at the plate, hitting .461 with a 1.154 OPS. Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025 Although law enforcement arrested some of the gang’s membership, the group remains active and has excelled at using social engineering tactics, like pretending to be an employee at a targeted company, to gain access. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for excel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excel
Verb
  • That deal could have reached as high as £89m (€100m) were subsequent clauses met; the amounts guaranteed on the sale of Wirtz have already exceeded that figure.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • Annual interest payments now already exceed $1 trillion, and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has called it a red flag.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
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
  • 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
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

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Cite this Entry

“Excel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excel. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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