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 Southport High School senior Sophia Nguyen is a standout student and leader, excelling in academics and extracurricular activities. Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 Dylan has managed his team and excelled at documenting the design process with the engineering notebook. Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 To excel, Stone borrows from her backgrounds in sports, TV production, nonprofit leadership and success with other cancer causes. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 While the Nets have drawn scrutiny for selecting prospects with overlapping skill sets, the organization views it as an exciting opportunity to excel in their pursuit of mastering positionless basketball. C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for excel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excel
Verb
  • In 2023, Luckin’s revenue in China exceeded what Starbucks made there for the first time, bouncing back from an accounting scandal that got Luckin booted from the Nasdaq in 2020.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 2 July 2025
  • Despite Israel’s qualitatively effective defenses, an underlying quantitative war attrition was at play that threatened to degrade Israel’s position over time: Iranian stocks of MRBM-class missiles likely exceeded the number of anti-MRBM interceptors possessed by Israel (ie. Arrow-2 and 3).
    Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Russian Attacks on Ukraine and War Developments Late on July 3 and into the early hours of July 4, Russia battered Ukraine with more than 500 drones and missiles in the most intense aerial attack of the war, surpassing the previous record set just days earlier on June 29.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Several family members of former MLB relief pitcher Tyler Walker remain missing on Tuesday as the death toll surpassed 100 following the devastating flooding that took place in central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Brazilian dystopian series 3% is another show that follows people who are struggling financially and enter a competition to better their lives.
    Skyler Trepel, People.com, 30 June 2025
  • Kate Hudson considered being emancipated from her parents, Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson, to better her Hollywood career.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • That contract, and Marner’s new 8x12 deal with the Golden Knights, easily eclipsed Day 1’s biggest mover, Gavrikov.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Throughout most of the campaign, Jacinto ranked highly in all of these categories, eclipsed only by stars such as Mapi Leon, Aitana Bonmati, Claudia Pina and Caroline Graham Hansen of Barcelona.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • On the Soundtracks chart, where KPop Demon Hunters enters at No. 1, the album is the first from a Netflix program to top the list in over two years — since Stranger Things: Soundtrack from the Netflix Series, Volume 4, re-entered atop the list dated Nov. 19, 2022, for its first week at No. 1.
    Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 30 June 2025
  • Joya wasn’t with us that day; my mother had handed me enough heavy coins to purchase it from a trinket stand in Trafalgar Square, where long white poles around Nelson’s Column were festooned with regal banners and topped with crowns.
    Jhumpa Lahiri, New Yorker, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Excel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excel. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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