Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

surpass

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of surpass

1 to be greater, better, or stronger than
  • she always tried to surpass her older brother at anything he did
Synonyms of surpass

beat, better, eclipse, exceed, excel, outclass, outdistance, outdo, outgun, outmatch, outshine, outstrip, overtop, top, tower (over), transcend
Words Related to surpass

one-up, outpace, outrace, outrun, overpass

best, clobber, conquer, crush, defeat, drub, lick, master, outcompete, outperform, overcome, overmatch, prevail (over), rout, shame, skunk, subdue, surmount, thrash, trim, triumph (over), trounce, wallop, whip, win (against), worst

outbalance, outweigh, overbear, overshadow, trump
Phrases Synonymous with surpass

go one better, run circles around (or run rings around)
Near Antonyms of surpass

lose (to)
2 to go beyond the limit of
  • the sales of the bandʼs newest CD have surpassed the combined sales of its last two albums
Synonyms of surpass

break, exceed, outreach, outrun, overpass, overreach, overrun, overshoot, overstep, transcend
Words Related to surpass

encroach, entrench (also intrench), infringe, invade, trespass

overdo, overuse, overutilize, overwork

Synonym Discussion of surpass

exceed, surpass, transcend, excel, outdo, outstrip mean to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree. exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.
    • exceed the speed limit
surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.
    • the book surpassed our expectations
transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.
    • transcended the values of their culture
excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.
    • excels in mathematics
outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.
    • outdid herself this time
outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.
    • outstripped other firms in sales

Learn More about surpass

  1. See words that rhyme with surpass Dictionary: Definition of surpass Spanish Central: Translation of surpass Nglish: Translation of surpass for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of surpass for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up surpass? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

purview

Listen to the pronounciation of purview

the range of authority or knowledge

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. catamount Vermont enters the Round of 64

  2. mendacious, mendacity George Conway calls Trump a liar

  3. crawdad New novel makes waves

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games