exceed

[ ik-seed ]

verb (used with object)

1. to go beyond in quantity, degree, rate, etc.:

   to exceed the speed limit.

2. to go beyond the bounds or limits of:

   to exceed one's understanding.

   Synonyms: transcend, overstep

3. to surpass; be superior to; excel:

   Her performance exceeded all the others.

   Synonyms: top, cap, beat, outstrip, outdo

verb (used without object)

1. to be greater, as in quantity or degree.
2. to surpass others; excel or be superior.

exceed

/ ɪkˈsiːd /

verb

1. to be superior to (a person or thing), esp in size or quality; excel
2. tr to go beyond the limit or bounds of

   to exceed one's income

   exceed a speed limit

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

Derived Forms

• exˈceeder, noun
• exˈceedable, adjective

Other Words From

• ex·ceeda·ble adjective
• ex·ceeder noun
• super·ex·ceed verb (used without object)
• unex·ceeda·ble adjective
• unex·ceeded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exceed¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English exceden, from Latin excēdere “to go out, go beyond”; equivalent to ex- ¹ + cede

Word History and Origins

Origin of exceed¹

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

Example Sentences

Earlier this month, the San Lorenzo Valley Water District, which serves areas affected by the CZA Lightning Complex Fire, reported levels of benzene—a known carcinogen—exceeding state health standards.

From Popular-Science

In the worst-case emissions scenario, that number could almost double in some regions, exceeding 15 days each fall.

From MIT Technology Review

Nearly nine in every 10 exceeded the recommended two-hour daily limit on non-school screen time.

From Science News For Students

The honorees on Fortune’s 2020 40 Under 40 certainly know how to get things done, so we asked them to tell us more about how they set and exceed their ambitious goals.

From Fortune

US government debt as a ratio of GDP is poised to exceed 100% for the full fiscal year, making it the first time that’s happened since 1946, according to projections from the Center for Management and Budget.

From Quartz

Gender roles exceed the biological circumstances of childbirth and they are, perhaps, much less likely to change.

From The Daily Beast

A season of Game of Thrones tells its story over ten hours, and only a video game adaptation could match or exceed that.

From The Daily Beast

Six months out of the year, the temperatures exceed 100 degrees.

From The Daily Beast

Some rights groups suspect the numbers exceed 200,000 prisoners, including women and children.

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, it is troubling to see highly shared medical campaigns whose shares far exceed donations.

From The Daily Beast

No law of that country must exceed in words the number of letters in their alphabet, which consists only in two-and-twenty.

From Project Gutenberg

But, he finally secured the address of a company who would manufacture a book to exceed 300 pages for fifty cents per book.

From Project Gutenberg

In the great majority of cases megaloblasts exceed normoblasts in number.

From Project Gutenberg

The expense of altering the engine, and forking the water to bottom, and proving the mine, will not exceed 1000l.

From Project Gutenberg

It should not exceed the ounce of tincture: about two drachms may be added after using it for paper.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• eclipse
• outpace
• outstrip
• top