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

Other Word Forms

• surpassable adjective
• surpasser noun
• unsurpassable adjective
• unsurpassed 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

"His love for football was only surpassed by that for his family. He will be sadly missed by his two daughters and three grandchildren," said a family statement.

From BBC

The FIA declared the Singapore race a 'heat hazard' because it surpasses an index that combines high temperatures with high humidity.

From BBC

Last week, Amnesty International and the Norway-based group Iran Human Rights said they had documented the executions of 1,000 people in Iran since January - already surpassing last year's reported total of 975.

From BBC

Although her record has since been surpassed, the exploit gained the attention of politicians and celebrities and inspired a craze for feats of endurance across Nigeria.

From BBC

The region was once considered the world's most dangerous area for maritime piracy, surpassing the waters off Somalia.

From BBC

Related Words

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