as in surpassed
to be greater, better, or stronger than
the special effects in this new sci-fi extravaganza excel any that we've seen previously
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Recent Examples of excelled
The play was high level, and both quarterbacks largely excelled.
—
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Greengrass has always excelled at turning real-life horrors into heart-stopping movies, but this particular vision of Hell on Earth is on another level.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Dryden not only excelled on the ice, but was also writer.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Considering everything, López excelled for the Minnesota Twins in a 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
—David Brown, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
From his earliest days working in Italy, the designer excelled in both menswear and women’s clothing—an unusual feat—and androgyny was a hallmark of his work.
—Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
Cross has excelled at ASU as a running back and kick returner.
—Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2025
One manager excelled at making quick decisions and taking action; another was brilliant at analyzing data thoroughly.
—Gamze Acar Bayraktaroglu, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Student of the Week offers schools the chance to celebrate teens who have placed in an art, dance or music competition, excelled in a science fair, won an essay contest, received a scholarship, were recognized for their volunteer service or were a star in some other way.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Greengrass has always excelled at turning real-life horrors into heart-stopping movies, but this particular vision of Hell on Earth is on another level.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Dryden not only excelled on the ice, but was also writer.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Considering everything, López excelled for the Minnesota Twins in a 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
—David Brown, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
From his earliest days working in Italy, the designer excelled in both menswear and women’s clothing—an unusual feat—and androgyny was a hallmark of his work.
—Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
Cross has excelled at ASU as a running back and kick returner.
—Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2025
One manager excelled at making quick decisions and taking action; another was brilliant at analyzing data thoroughly.
—Gamze Acar Bayraktaroglu, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Student of the Week offers schools the chance to celebrate teens who have placed in an art, dance or music competition, excelled in a science fair, won an essay contest, received a scholarship, were recognized for their volunteer service or were a star in some other way.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excelled
Verb
-
According to the Associated Press, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 64,000.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Charlotte posted five different drives of eight plays or more, three of which surpassed 60 yards on the drive.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Chamber of Commerce and other industry groups sued and a district court blocked the agency from doing so, arguing the bureau had exceeded its authority.—
Jake Pearson,
ProPublica,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The report notes the plane exceeded its maximum allowable speed during the turbulence, climbing and descending rapidly three times.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By the 1980s, TV had eclipsed print as the dominant medium and reshaped how Americans consumed the news.—
Time,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In cities that function as growth machines, where economic growth is prized above all else, the needs of the poor and middle class are eclipsed by the desire to inflate the value of land.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As a rookie, Worthy topped the Chiefs’ wide receivers corps in receptions last season, with 59.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
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This was the third summer running where outgoing transfers topped £1bn.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excelled. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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