surpass

[ ser-pas, -pahs ]

verb (used with object)

1. to go beyond in amount, extent, or degree; be greater than; exceed.
2. to go beyond in excellence or achievement; be superior to; excel:

   He surpassed his brother in sports.

   Synonyms: outstrip, beat

3. to be beyond the range or capacity of; transcend:

   misery that surpasses description.

surpass

/ sɜːˈpɑːs /

verb

1. to be greater than in degree, extent, etc
2. to be superior to in achievement or excellence
3. to overstep the limit or range of

   the theory surpasses my comprehension

Derived Forms

• surˈpassable, adjective

Other Words From

• sur·passa·ble adjective
• sur·passer noun
• unsur·passa·ble adjective
• unsur·passed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of surpass¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Middle French surpasser; equivalent to sur- ¹ + pass

Word History and Origins

Origin of surpass¹

C16: from French surpasser, from sur- ¹+ passer to pass

Synonym Study

See excel.

Example Sentences

Those residents would also typically receive expanded relocation assistance to help them afford rent in a market rate unit for 42 months, the average time it takes to build a new apartment building, according to the city, which estimates payments could surpass $100,000 for such households.

From Los Angeles Times

Ireland and New Zealand games usually live up to - and in some cases surpass - the hype.

From BBC

The projection means that 2024 could surpass the current record of 1.48C, which was set only last year.

From BBC

Secretary of State Frank LaRose told the Ohio Statehouse News Bureau that the state could be on track to surpass its voter turnout record if Election Day turnout is high.

From Salon

Pending legislative approval, that number would surpass all other capped film and TV tax credit programs around the country.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beat
• eclipse
• exceed
• outpace
• outperform
• outstrip
• outweigh
• pass
• rank
• top