EXCELS Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

loses (to)

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 excels OpenAI’s tool particularly excels at creating fake screenshots. —

Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026 While the sandwiches and small plates are fantastic, Al Baghdadi’s restaurant Salam Grill excels at family style dining. —

Nathanael Gassett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2026 And in Campbell, the Dolphins get a former five-star recruit who excels in the run game. —

Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026 If Young excels in 2026, the Panthers will have a placeholder year in 2027 to negotiate a contract extension with the 2023 first overall pick. —

Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026 Its expansive field of view, exceptional peak brightness, and stable head-tracking combine to produce a vivid, reliable display that excels for both entertainment and productivity, while its extensive customization options further enhance usability. —

Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026 For wellness seekers, the spa excels in its roster of visiting practitioners likeChinese acupuncturists and tarot card readers. —

Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026 Burke excels at articulating just how painfully Natalie’s mask hardens into a private hell that she’s subconsciously feared and created all her life. —

Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2026 As far as customization goes, Matouk excels in designing high-quality bath towels that suit all tastes. —

Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for excels

Verb

Charles also said both nations must remain committed to supporting Ukraine as Russia’s full-scale invasion surpasses four years, and underscored how staying within NATO is significant to prevent further tensions between Europe and North America.

— Max Foster, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Blue Origin, founded and owed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, has landed and reused its smaller New Shepard suborbital booster numerous times, but New Glenn surpasses New Shepard in difficulty and scale.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 Apr. 2026