surpassing
Americanadjective
adverb
adjective
adverb
Other Word Forms
- surpassingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of surpassing
Explanation
Something that's surpassing is exceptional or outstanding — much better or more than usual. A scene of surpassing hilarity in a movie might make you laugh until tears run down your face. The adjective surpassing is a bit old fashioned, and you're most likely to read it in a novel or poem. Its most common use is in the phrase "surpassing beauty," or exceptional beauty. A poet might reflect on the surpassing beauty of the sunset over the ocean, for example. To surpass is to "go beyond," from the prefix sur-, "beyond," and the Old French verb passer, "to go by."
Vocabulary lists containing surpassing
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.
Stripping out certain one-off items, PG&E logged adjusted, or core, earnings of 43 cents a share, surpassing the average analyst target of 40 cents a share, based on a poll by FactSet.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026
SAP’s cloud unit revenue increased 19% to €5.96 billion, surpassing Wall Street expectations, with a cloud backlog up 20%.
From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026
Contemporary Amperex Technology unveiled its Shenxing 3 battery, charging 10% to 98% in 6.5 minutes, surpassing BYD’s technology.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026
In 1971, the Osmonds tallied nine gold records, surpassing single-year bests by Elvis and the Beatles.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
“It was an act of courage far surpassing any other in my life. And I am glad to see you going, Nell, because I would certainly never do it again.”
From "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson
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.
