as in extraordinary
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1
as in exceeding
to be greater, better, or stronger than
she always tried to surpass her older brother at anything he did
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in transcending
to go beyond the limit of
the sales of the band's newest CD have surpassed the combined sales of its last two albums
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Recent Examples of surpassing
Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Her season total for points was the fifth-best in program history, surpassing Sophie Cunningham’s 2018-19 mark.
—Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
That flyby could mark the farthest venture from Earth made by humans, surpassing the distance record of 248,655 miles set by the Apollo 13 astronauts in 1970.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 4 Apr. 2026
Swooping around the moon's far side, the astronauts aboard Orion are expected to travel farther from Earth than any humans ever have – surpassing the record of 248,655 miles set in 1970 during the infamous Apollo 13 mission.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
In just the first three months of the current fiscal year, interest payments reached $270 billion, already surpassing the nation’s defense spending during the same period.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
More than 3,100 rallies are expected nationwide, surpassing the totals of previous No Kings rallies.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Goodreau set a Division III single-season record with her 18th power-play goal, surpassing the mark set by Elmira’s Cassidy Delainey in 2015.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
Pirates pitchers walked nine overall, surpassing last season's high.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
Three months after the Prescott deal, Juan Soto agreed to the biggest-ever contract in MLB, signing a 15-year deal worth a staggering $765m with the New York Mets, surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s $700m deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers announced in late 2023.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Her season total for points was the fifth-best in program history, surpassing Sophie Cunningham’s 2018-19 mark.
—Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
That flyby could mark the farthest venture from Earth made by humans, surpassing the distance record of 248,655 miles set by the Apollo 13 astronauts in 1970.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 4 Apr. 2026
Swooping around the moon's far side, the astronauts aboard Orion are expected to travel farther from Earth than any humans ever have – surpassing the record of 248,655 miles set in 1970 during the infamous Apollo 13 mission.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
In just the first three months of the current fiscal year, interest payments reached $270 billion, already surpassing the nation’s defense spending during the same period.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
More than 3,100 rallies are expected nationwide, surpassing the totals of previous No Kings rallies.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Goodreau set a Division III single-season record with her 18th power-play goal, surpassing the mark set by Elmira’s Cassidy Delainey in 2015.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
Pirates pitchers walked nine overall, surpassing last season's high.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surpassing
Adjective
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Her credits this decade include a complex and crucial supporting part in Mare of Easttown, an Emmy-winning guest appearance on Hacks, a turn opposite Nicolas Cage in Dream Scenario, and a starring role in Annie Baker’s extraordinary indie film Janet Planet.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
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Nyad is an extraordinary example, but researchers say a positive attitude is key.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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An earlier December lawsuit had been dismissed by the judge, who said the organization did not sufficiently prove the president was exceeding his powers.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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The market capitalization of a company like Apple in December 2023 reached $3 trillion, exceeding the combined GDP of at least 140 countries.—
Sven van Mourik,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, supreme commander of the Luftwaffe, Hitler’s second in command, and the highest-ranking surviving Nazi leader, steps out of the car, stands at attention to announce his surrender, and orders the soldiers to carry his bags.—
Alice Kaplan,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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The presidency of his successor, Ali Khamenei, marked a period of relative alignment with the supreme leader.—
Roxane Razavi,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The 45 in the Celtics’ Wednesday night victory is now the second-highest total, eclipsing a pair of 44 3-pointer games.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
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The Congressional Budget Office projects debt held by the public will surge from 101% of GDP today to 120% of GDP by 2036, eclipsing the post–World War II record.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Leo Carlsson, center, A- Carlsson had a superlative start to the season, looking every bit the equal of his most prominent peers like Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini in the first two months of 2025-26.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
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Seafood and cocktails with lavender, thyme, and other local herbs seduce guests in the superlative beach club on A-lister Plage de Pampelonne.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Alexander-Walker, known more for his defense, is averaging more than 20 points per game after never topping 10 during his eight seasons as a bench player in New Orleans, Utah and Minnesota.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
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After wrapping up his performance of chart-topping classics and ATL anthems with Sleepy Brown, Big Boi made his way from the stage to the Impossible Foods food truck not to eat, at least not right away, but to serve.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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There are some really great ones on the market these days, a huge advancement past the egg crate toppers our parents used.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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Nola said he was unfazed by taking the mound with a huge lead.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The rooms There are a dozen entry-level rooms in the curvy main building, and several outrageously large residences and villas right on the beach.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
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For the tribe, its main objective is to repatriate the remains of their ancestors — a process that often involves gathering the remains and artifacts and burying them together in a spot on the site that cannot be disturbed.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surpassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surpassing. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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