transcend

[tran-send]

verb (used with object)

1. to rise above or go beyond; overpass; exceed.

   to transcend the limits of thought; kindness transcends courtesy.

2. to outdo or exceed in excellence, elevation, extent, degree, etc.; surpass; excel.

   Synonyms: outstrip

3. Theology.,  (of the Deity) to be above and independent of (the universe, time, etc.).

verb (used without object)

1. to be transcendent or superior; excel.

   His competitiveness made him want to transcend.

transcend

/ trænˈsɛnd /

verb

1. to go above or beyond (a limit, expectation, etc), as in degree or excellence

2. (tr) to be superior to

3. philosophy theol (esp of the Deity) to exist beyond (the material world)

Other Word Forms

• transcendingly adverb
• untranscended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of transcend¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin trānscendere “to surmount,” from trāns- trans- + -scendere (combining form of scandere “to climb”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of transcend¹

C14: from Latin trānscendere to climb over, from _trans- + scandere to climb

Example Sentences

“Only God Can Judge Me” is a meticulous demystification of a young artist who since death has transcended into a global icon on par with Bob Marley.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“You don’t have to talk about it. You just sit and listen to it. It’s not my favorite,” he clarifies, alluding to his first love, cinema — “but it’s the one that transcends centuries.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The song, which dropped in August, is about how intimate connections between people can transcend languages and borders.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The U.S.-Colombia relationship has for many years transcended personal politics because both sides understood how important it was,” Dickinson continued.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her book tells a story that transcends generations and borders, sending a quiet but warm message to countless nameless readers around the world.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• eclipse 
• outstrip 
• overstep 
• transform