surpass
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
-
to be greater than in degree, extent, etc
-
to be superior to in achievement or excellence
-
to overstep the limit or range of
the theory surpasses my comprehension
Related Words
See excel.
Other Word Forms
- surpassable adjective
- surpasser noun
- unsurpassable adjective
- unsurpassed adjective
Etymology
Origin of surpass
First recorded in 1545–55; from Middle French surpasser; equivalent to sur- 1 + pass
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Last week, the price of diesel in France hit its highest level since 1985, surpassing the peaks reached after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
From Barron's
Consumer sentiment actually rose slightly in March, according to data released Tuesday by the Conference Board; the index climbed to 91.8 from 91 in February, surpassing Wall Street Journal forecasts of 87.5.
From MarketWatch
This makes it possible to switch between glossy and matte finishes, producing visual effects that surpass what current screens can achieve.
From Science Daily
National gas prices also hit an unpleasant peak Tuesday when they surpassed the $4 mark for the first time in nearly four years.
From Los Angeles Times
At the height of Mr. Woods’s career, golf surpassed the NBA and even the National Football League in television ratings.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
