EXCEED Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'exceed' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of exceed are excel , outdo , outstrip , surpass , and transcend . While all these words 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

Q: When would 'excel' be a good substitute for 'exceed'?

Although the words excel and exceed have much in common, excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others. // excels in mathematics

Q: When is it sensible to use 'outdo' instead of 'exceed'?

The words outdo and exceed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before. // outdid herself this time

Q: Where would 'outstrip' be a reasonable alternative to 'exceed'?

The synonyms outstrip and exceed are sometimes interchangeable, but outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition. // outstripped other firms in sales

Q: When could 'surpass' be used to replace 'exceed'?

In some situations, the words surpass and exceed are roughly equivalent. However, surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill. // the book surpassed our expectations

Q: When is 'transcend' a more appropriate choice than 'exceed'?

While the synonyms transcend and exceed are close in meaning, transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits. // transcended the values of their culture

exceed

verb

ik-ˈsēd

Definition of exceed next

as in to surpass

to go beyond the limit of by resorting to corporal punishment, the teacher had clearly exceeded his authority

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to better

to be greater, better, or stronger than her knowledge of French wines exceeds that of anyone else I know

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lose (to)

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb exceed contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of exceed are excel, outdo, outstrip, surpass, and transcend. While all these words 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

When would excel be a good substitute for exceed?

Although the words excel and exceed have much in common, excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.

excels in mathematics

When is it sensible to use outdo instead of exceed?

The words outdo and exceed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

Where would outstrip be a reasonable alternative to exceed?

The synonyms outstrip and exceed are sometimes interchangeable, but outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

When could surpass be used to replace exceed?

In some situations, the words surpass and exceed are roughly equivalent. However, surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

When is transcend a more appropriate choice than exceed?

While the synonyms transcend and exceed are close in meaning, transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.

transcended the values of their culture

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of exceed With the average price of a new iPhone exceeding $1,000, these auctions provide an opportunity to buy iPhones for a fraction of the cost. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025 If Coresight’s forecast holds true, store closures this year will exceed 2020, when the pandemic shut down businesses nationwide. —

Cory Smith, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2025 Globally, average sea surface temperatures in January were the second-highest on record for the month, exceeded only by January 2024. —

Reuters, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025 In many cases, though, the payments proposed in the email would far exceed that sum. —

Chris Cameron, New York Times, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for exceed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exceed

Verb

In Denmark, where Season 1 surpassed its prime-time slot average by 31%, a second season is set to launch later this month.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
This year, Hamrick said the group surpassed 2,000 members.

— Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025