surpassing
Americanadjective
adverb
adjective
adverb
Other Word Forms
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.
Apple briefly hit $5 trillion in market cap on Tuesday, surpassing Nvidia as the most valuable company.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Dangote plans to more than double the refining capacity of its Nigerian operations from 650,000 bpd to 1.4 million bpd -- making it the largest refinery globally, surpassing India's Jamnagar Refinery.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
California’s high school Class of 2026 set a record by surpassing a 70% completion rate for financial aid applications, driven by a state mandate and school incentives.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
His efforts kept India in contention long after they would have been expected to fall away, and in the 38th over his side reached 253-1, surpassing the 250 England had made at the same stage.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 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.
