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 Cutdown day is Tuesday, and not everyone who attended training camp, and even excelled at certain points, will make the team. Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025 Sam continued that his recipes are so simple, anyone at any cooking level can excel at their recreation. Moná Thomas, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025 The model excels at math, science and coding and can also create functioning web apps with just a few lines of description in plain English. Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025 New research is revealing how disease-smelling dogs can excel Billy, a floppy-eared little beagle, darts around a platform sniffing a series of holes. Rohini Subrahmanyam, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for excel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excel
Verb
  • Nominate it as one of America's Top Workplaces In the Cato survey, released August 7, only 9% of Americans correctly identified the maximum annual Social Security benefit, which exceeds $60,000, on a multiple-choice list.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Iceland, like Nashville, is experiencing a tourism boom, with visitor numbers exceeding the local population.
    Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Though Starship was unable to achieve its most important objectives, the distance the vehicle traveled far surpassed the previous 2025 flights in January and March, when Starship exploded within minutes.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
  • The business surpassed seven-figure revenue in the first five months, with 19 contractors, mostly independent teachers, contributing to its growth, according to Lyndsey.
    Elaine Pofeldt, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Karras' nonprofit began as a grassroots fundraiser for the Village of Merici in 2016, and has quickly expanded into a Cincinnati sensation, collaborating with local programs focusing on bettering the community.
    Hailey Roden, The Enquirer, 10 Aug. 2025
  • Pirates general manager Ben Cherington has talked about needing to take some risks before the deadline on Thursday, and one of them could be trading his All-Star closer in hopes of bettering the team as a whole.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • Former Mizzou walk-on Cody Schrader eclipsed 1,627 yards his final year in Columbia, setting the program’s single-season rushing record.
    Maddie Hartley August 15, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The Port of Los Angeles reported an all-time record in cargo movement for a single month, eclipsing 1 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled for the second time ever.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Remember, Bills-Giants last week nearly topped 60 points, and the Bears' tie with the Dolphins was also high-scoring.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Senior, 6-0, 210 Accolades: 4-star prospect; ESPN top 300; three-time Sun Sentinel Super 11 selection; Rivals Top 250; helped Bulls to first state title in school history; Palm Beach County Lou Groza Player of the Year Award as sophomore.
    Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Excel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excel. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.

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