Synonyms of excels

excels

verb

present tense third-person singular of excel

as in surpasses

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

• surpasses
• exceeds
• tops
• eclipses
• outshines
• transcends
• outdoes
• outclasses
• outstrips
• beats
• outdistances
• overcomes
• towers (over)
• outmatches
• overtops
• betters
• overshadows
• masters
• outguns
• goes one better
• outpaces
• defeats
• outruns
• outperforms
• outweighs
• subdues
• conquers
• surmounts
• runs circles around
• bests
• shames
• trumps
• prevails (over)
• clobbers
• one-ups
• wins (against)
• thrashes
• triumphs (over)
• trounces
• outraces
• routs
• outcompetes
• licks
• crushes
• wallops
• whips
• trims
• overpasses
• overbears
• overmatches
• outbalances
• worsts
• drubs
• skunks

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loses (to)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of excels

And, this example points out what pet insurance really excels at — covering big, unexpected expenses. — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026

Philbrick excels at telling the stories of the individuals in the middle of it all. — Terry Hartle, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Nov. 2026

The flavor excels because each ingredient punches above its weight. — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Nov. 2026

Firstman excels at highlighting the absurdity of celebrity and the pretension of coastal media types. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026

His wife, Galina, a noble beauty, excels at the role of the plumed bird in a cage and yet suffers for it, fumbling around awkwardly for an escape. — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

Rather than test him on that — Goldfarb excels as a storyteller — WWD asked for just one to illustrate the company’s approach. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026

Defensive midfield or ‘pivot’, the position that Guijarro excels in, is not quite so prominent in the broader consciousness, and therefore inevitably some will value it higher than others. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Foldables have always targeted productivity power users and media enthusiasts who thrive on multitasking and a large-screen canvas—areas where the Duo excels without compromise. — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026