surpass

/sərˈpæs/

Say it: ser-PASS

1. verb To be greater or better than something else.
The student's final project surpassed the teacher's expectations.
2. verb To go beyond the limit, range, or capacity of something.
The cost of the repairs will likely surpass our initial budget.

📖 Seen in the wild

Her performance in the competition managed to surpass all previous records.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ surpass in a sentence

The film's box office performance is on track to surpass all previous records for the studio.
Her skill on the violin was a wonder, surpassing that of musicians twice her age.
In a display of generosity that surpassed all understanding, the community raised enough money to rebuild the family's home in a single day.
The new model's battery life surpasses its predecessor by several hours.
He worked tirelessly to surpass the achievements of his older brother.
The sheer audacity of the plan surpassed anything the board had ever considered.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

exceed excel outdo transcend eclipse outstrip top best

exceed · often implies going beyond a numerical limit or set boundary.

excel · suggests superior quality or skill, often in a specific field.

outdo · implies beating a rival in a direct comparison or competition.

transcend · suggests rising above limitations, often in an abstract or spiritual way.

Opposites: fall short of, be inferior to, lose to, fail

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'surpass' arrived in English in the 1500s from the Old French 'surpasser'. It's a straightforward combination of 'sur-', meaning 'over' or 'beyond', and 'passer', meaning 'to pass'. So, from its very beginning, it has always meant to 'pass over' or go beyond a certain point or standard.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

surpass expectationssurpass a recordsurpass a goalsurpass the competitionsurpass all understanding

'Surpass' is a strong, standard verb for indicating superiority. It's more formal than 'beat' or 'top' and is well suited for contexts involving performance, records, and expectations. Unlike 'exceed', which often applies to concrete limits like a budget or speed limit, 'surpass' is frequently used for more qualitative comparisons of skill, beauty, or achievement.

Word family: surpassing, surpassingly

💬 Quick answers

What does surpass mean?

To surpass means to be better or greater than something else, or to go beyond a certain limit or boundary.

What is the difference between 'surpass' and 'exceed'?

'Surpass' often relates to quality or achievement, while 'exceed' typically refers to going beyond a numerical limit. You surpass a rival's performance, but you exceed the speed limit.

Is 'surpass' a formal word?

Surpass is a neutral to formal word. It is standard in writing and professional speech but less common in casual conversation, where 'beat' or 'top' might be used instead.

Can you surpass a person?

Yes, you can surpass a person in a particular skill, role, or achievement. For instance, an apprentice might eventually surpass their master.

1 word nerd collected it V

Want "surpass" to actually stick?

Save it to your own vault, let AI explain it, practice till it's yours.

Start for free →