Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

transcend

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of transcend

1 to be greater, better, or stronger than
  • a man whose practical knowledge of botany transcends that of his more educated colleagues
Synonyms of transcend

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

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 transcend

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

lose (to)
2 to go beyond the limit of
  • a person who believes that any true understanding of God transcends human intelligence
Synonyms of transcend

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

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

overdo, overuse, overutilize, overwork

Synonym Discussion of transcend

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 transcend

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up transcend? 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

hoopla

excited commotion or publicity

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. crosshair Roger Stone posts controversial photo

  2. feckless Former RNC chair derides Trump

  3. emergency, national emergency Trump declares crisis over wall

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