exceed

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR exceed ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to go beyond in quantity, degree, rate, etc.: to exceed the speed limit.

to go beyond the bounds or limits of: to exceed one's understanding.

to surpass; be superior to; excel: Her performance exceeded all the others.

verb (used without object)

to be greater, as in quantity or degree.

to surpass others; excel or be superior.

Origin of exceed

1325–75; Middle English exceden < Latin excēdere to go out or beyond. See ex-¹, cede

Related formsex·ceed·a·ble, adjectiveex·ceed·er, nounsu·per·ex·ceed, verb (used without object)un·ex·ceed·a·ble, adjectiveun·ex·ceed·ed, adjective

Can be confusedaccede concede exceed

Synonyms for exceed

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR exceed ON THESAURUS.COM

2. overstep, transcend. 3. outdo, outstrip, beat, cap, top.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for exceed

top, eclipse, outstrip, outpace, transcend, overtake, better, distance, beat, cap, excel, overstep, outshine, pass, surmount, outdo, outrun, best, overtax, outreach

Examples from the Web for exceed

Contemporary Examples of exceed

A season of Game of Thrones tells its story over ten hours, and only a video game adaptation could match or exceed that.
‘Game of Thrones’ Interactive FanFiction: Whoops, My Friend Was Speared in the Throat
Alec Kubas-Meyer
December 13, 2014
The number of signatures is expected to exceed in 60,000 in the next day.
Japanese Parliament to Women: Breed, Don't Lead
Jake Adelstein, Angela Erika Kubo
June 22, 2014
But previously the total aggregate amount an individual was allowed to donate could not exceed $123,000 per cycle.
Federal Campaign Funds: Easier Money
Stuart Stevens
April 2, 2014
No contribution can exceed $2,600 per candidate per race or $32,400 per party.
Federal Campaign Funds: Easier Money
Stuart Stevens
April 2, 2014
Indeed, prison may offer a safety and refuge from rivals that exceed that found on the outside.
Will El Chapo Rule From Prison?
John P. Sullivan
February 24, 2014

Historical Examples of exceed

It is computed that the expense would not exceed a million and a half sterling.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various
Nothing can exceed the freshness and charm of our homeward walk.
In the Heart of Vosges
Matilda Betham-Edwards
Nothing could exceed in loveliness the situation of this lake.
Hetty's Strange History
Anonymous
Nothing could exceed the delicacy of its features, or the brilliancy of its tints.
The Room in the Dragon Volant
J. Sheridan LeFanu
Nothing could exceed the beauty of their proportions and the splendour of their trappings.
Gomez Arias
Joaqun Telesforo de Trueba y Coso

British Dictionary definitions for exceed

exceed

verb

to be superior to (a person or thing), esp in size or quality; excel

(tr) to go beyond the limit or bounds ofto exceed one's income; exceed a speed limit

to be greater in degree or quantity than (a person or thing)

Derived Formsexceedable, adjectiveexceeder, noun

Word Origin for exceed

C14: from Latin excēdere to go beyond, from cēdere to go

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for exceed

late 14c., from Old French exceder (14c.) "exceed, surpass, go too far," from Latin excedere "depart, go beyond, be in excess, surpass," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + cedere "go, yield" (see cede).

Related: Exceeded; exceeding. Exceedingly (late 15c.) means "very greatly or very much;" excessively (mid-15c.) means "too greatly or too much."