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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 excelled
His reading and writing skills also excelled.
—
Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
Boudreaux excelled in athletics from an early age, particularly basketball.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
The general manager excelled in the draft early in his Broncos tenure, landing future All-Pros Pat Surtain II and Quinn Meinerz, plus seventh-rounder Jonathon Cooper in 2021.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
The younger Levi had excelled in the classroom and on the tennis team at Loyola High School.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
The 31-year-old White, who excelled in nearly every area but shooting this season, is signed for another three years, including a player option for 2028-29.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
Bogaerts has with the Padres generally excelled in the season’s latter months and been dreadful in the early months.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Van Lith has also excelled on the international stage in 3-on-3 basketball, helping Team USA to a gold medal at the 2023 3-on-3 World Cup and a bronze medal as a member of the 2024 3-on-3 Olympic team.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 6 May 2026
Most leaders excelled at focusing on goals.
—David Rock, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
Boudreaux excelled in athletics from an early age, particularly basketball.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
The general manager excelled in the draft early in his Broncos tenure, landing future All-Pros Pat Surtain II and Quinn Meinerz, plus seventh-rounder Jonathon Cooper in 2021.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
The younger Levi had excelled in the classroom and on the tennis team at Loyola High School.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
The 31-year-old White, who excelled in nearly every area but shooting this season, is signed for another three years, including a player option for 2028-29.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
Bogaerts has with the Padres generally excelled in the season’s latter months and been dreadful in the early months.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Van Lith has also excelled on the international stage in 3-on-3 basketball, helping Team USA to a gold medal at the 2023 3-on-3 World Cup and a bronze medal as a member of the 2024 3-on-3 Olympic team.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 6 May 2026
Most leaders excelled at focusing on goals.
—David Rock, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excelled
Verb
-
The national debt has surpassed the GDP, Social Security and Medicare face looming financial crises, inflation is rising, families are struggling — and yet Congress does nothing.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
Austin skipped over San Jose for the 12th most populous spot, as Texas' capital city surpassed 1 million residents for the first time.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Shamsid-Deen initially sought to impose a 90-day jail term, but prosecutor Jonah Karls informed him that the sentence exceeded his legal authority, something the judge appeared unaware of.—
Brian Maass,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
-
Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia broke records set in 1896, and exceeded their 20th century average April temperatures by as much as eight degrees.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
By the end of the night, the tech giants had arguably eclipsed the stars that graced the Metropolitan of Art’s famous stairs.—
Roy Stephen Canivel,
Footwear News,
11 May 2026
-
Marissa Hutton and Ashley Wallace registered a hat trick apiece, while Madeline LeBlanc (goal, four assists) eclipsed 100 career points as Beverly coasted to a 16-0 shutout of Salem.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Surveillance camera footage captured Mott scaling an 8-foot fence topped with barbed wire at the perimeter of the airport in just 15 seconds, then walking across the runway.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Curious which town topped the list?—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Excelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excelled. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
