Synonyms of excelling

excelling

verb

present participle of excel

as in exceeding

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

• exceeding
• surpassing
• eclipsing
• topping
• outshining
• bettering
• transcending
• outdoing
• beating
• outstripping
• outclassing
• mastering
• outdistancing
• towering (over)
• overcoming
• outmatching
• overtopping
• overshadowing
• outgunning
• going one better
• defeating
• outpacing
• outperforming
• outrunning
• conquering
• surmounting
• outweighing
• running circles around
• outracing
• besting
• overpassing
• subduing
• prevailing (over)
• outcompeting
• overmatching
• crushing
• winning (against)
• licking
• shaming
• trumping
• trouncing
• one-upping
• routing
• trimming
• clobbering
• triumphing (over)
• whipping
• thrashing
• worsting
• walloping
• overbearing
• drubbing
• outbalancing
• skunking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• losing (to)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of excelling

Sonni-Lambie spent last season excelling for the under-18s and was nominated for the league’s player of the season award after scoring 21 goals, one of which was from the halfway line. — Andy Jones, New York Times, 14 July 2026

The emotional pain can be especially acute when someone’s self-identity rested on excelling in a sport or a professional role. — ABC News, 13 July 2026

Kounde is currently excelling as a right-back for France in the World Cup, but Barcelona needs a major sale to comply with Financial Fair Play rules and finance key targets like Julian Alvarez, who has reportedly agreed to a five-year deal. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Jorgenson remains one of the Tour’s rare talents, excelling in mountain stages, time trials, tactical races and breakaways. — Idaho Statesman, 30 June 2026

Naperville is known for excelling. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026

Lindsay and Kyle are both made for this medium and have been excelling at it for the better part of a decade. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 June 2026

After throwing himself into sports—soccer, basketball, football, track—throughout middle and high school while excelling academically, Adamolekun enrolled at Brown, graduating in 2012 with a BA in economics and political science. — Rita Omokha, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026

Throughout the year, CBS Colorado recognizes high school students who are excelling in science, technology, engineering, and math, STEM. — Libby Smith, CBS News, 9 June 2026