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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in extraordinary
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of surpassing
John Leos, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile both warring parties have been accused of mass human rights abuses, with the death toll of the conflict likely surpassing 400,000.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Ohtani became the fastest Dodger to 100 home runs with the franchise, with his 294 games easily surpassing Gary Sheffield's previous mark of 399.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
In total, 90% of CMS schools met or exceeded growth goals, surpassing the state average of 71%.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2025
Spot gold hovered around $3,500 after surpassing that level earlier in the session for the first time ever.
—Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
This makes hearing loss the largest modifiable risk factor for dementia, surpassing smoking, hypertension, or physical inactivity.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Out of the association's 500 members, 28% took part in the vote -- surpassing the Association's requirement that 20% participate in all resolutions.
—ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025
La Resistencia, a Seattle-area nonprofit immigration rights group, has monitored 59 flights at Boeing Field and five at the Yakima airport in 2025, surpassing its 2024 total of 42.
—Martha Bellisle, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
World leaders and scientists hoped to avoid surpassing this threshold under the Paris Agreement.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile both warring parties have been accused of mass human rights abuses, with the death toll of the conflict likely surpassing 400,000.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Ohtani became the fastest Dodger to 100 home runs with the franchise, with his 294 games easily surpassing Gary Sheffield's previous mark of 399.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
In total, 90% of CMS schools met or exceeded growth goals, surpassing the state average of 71%.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2025
Spot gold hovered around $3,500 after surpassing that level earlier in the session for the first time ever.
—Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
This makes hearing loss the largest modifiable risk factor for dementia, surpassing smoking, hypertension, or physical inactivity.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Out of the association's 500 members, 28% took part in the vote -- surpassing the Association's requirement that 20% participate in all resolutions.
—ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025
La Resistencia, a Seattle-area nonprofit immigration rights group, has monitored 59 flights at Boeing Field and five at the Yakima airport in 2025, surpassing its 2024 total of 42.
—Martha Bellisle, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surpassing
Verb
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With a range exceeding 250 kilometers (155 miles), the HQ-9C is the backbone of China’s strategic air defense.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
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The costs of certifying a building as exceeding legal requirements for energy efficiency, for example, are seen as high points not excesses because efficiencies serve another agenda.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Jacqueline Burnett and David Schultz’s extraordinary careers at Hubbard Street date back to 2009.—
Lauren Warnecke,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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Astronomers made the rare and extraordinary discovery of an interstellar object in our own solar system on July 1, 2025, sparking a scramble to study the mysterious visitor.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After all, Forbes reported that Swift’s Eras tour became the highest-grossing music tour of all time, eclipsing $2 billion in ticket revenues.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Immigration has now become the dominant political issue in Britain, eclipsing concerns over a faltering economy, as the country faces a record number of asylum claims and arrivals by migrants in small boats across the Channel, including more than 28,000 this year.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In many ways, Eze feels a throwback Arsenal player, the kind of footballer blessed with supreme technique and control in tight spaces, rather than the more imposing figures like Declan Rice and Merino that Arteta has recruited.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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Between pork buns and supreme croissants, TikTok can spark a social media flood, but what matters most is what happens after the post.—
Harper Stephanopoulos,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Such heavy use exposes teens to a cascade of risks, with mental health impacts topping the list.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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New data has revealed the world's top dog-loving 35 countries based on the number of canines owned per capita, with Lithuania shockingly topping the list.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For Denver, one thing Johnson’s lob prowess should create is another way to optimize the superlative athleticism and dunking ability of Aaron Gordon, with Christian Braun, Peyton Watson and DaRon Holmes also being potential targets.—
Joel Rush,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Everything about this epoch is superlative, bizarre, unprecedented.—
Peter Brannen
August 28,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Congress had enacted byzantine eligibility requirements for disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits, forcing the agency to expend huge amounts of time and money running those programs.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
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Of course, there remains a huge barrier to entry for the San Jose Sharks sophomore.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Punk is deeply tied into current main-event storylines with real-life married couple Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, so the impending couples brawl is a great story.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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The stages of the eclipse include penumbral and umbral phases, which refer to the two main parts of the shadow that the moon casts.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surpassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surpassing. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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