Synonyms for

Surpass

Verb / sɜ:ˈpæs / Another word for surpass — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to exceed or go beyond in amount, extent, or degree

Synonyms & similar words

outgo goby outstrip exceed outperform pass transcend standout surmount excel outdo passby travelby outmatch gopast exceed outdo outstrip overtake beat transcend eclipse outmatch top pass excel surmount outshine best trump outperform surpassing

Synonyms by register

Formal

exceed transcend outperform eclipse

Informal

beat top outdo lick

Literary

outshine overshadow surmount

Antonyms

fail lag underperform fall short be beaten lose

Common collocations

  • surpass expectations
  • surpass all expectations
  • surpass a record
  • surpass a milestone
  • surpass the competition
  • surpass understanding
  • surpass limits

Word family

noun surpassing
verb surpass
adjective surpassing

Usage note

Surpass is often used to describe exceeding a previous record, standard, or expectation. It generally carries a positive connotation of achievement.

Example sentences

  1. She surpassed all her classmates in the test.
  2. The marathon runner surpassed his personal best time.
  3. The new technology surpasses the old in efficiency.
  4. Her talent surpasses her experience.
  5. He hopes to surpass his father's success.

Quotes

  • Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. - Booker T. Washington
  • To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • Believe you can and you're halfway there. - Theodore Roosevelt

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words