Exceed — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ik-ˈsēd/ ex·ceed

Meaning & Definition of Exceed

Exceed (verb)

  1. to be greater than or superior to
  2. to go beyond a limit set by
  3. to extend outside of

Exceed (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to go beyond the limit of

    "by resorting to corporal punishment, the teacher had clearly exceeded his authority"

    similar: break, outreach, outrun, overpass, overreach, overrun, overshoot, overstep, surpass, transcend
    related: encroach, entrench, infringe, invade, trespass, overdo, overuse, overutilize, overwork

  2. to be greater, better, or stronger than

    "her knowledge of French wines exceeds that of anyone else I know"

    similar: beat, better, eclipse, excel, outclass, outdistance, outdo, outgun, outmatch, outshine, outstrip, overtop, surpass, top, tower (over), transcend, go one better, run circles around
    related: one-up, outpace, outrace, outrun, overpass, best, clobber, conquer, crush, defeat, drub, lick, master, outcompete, outperform, overcome, overmatch, prevail (over), rout, shame, skunk, subdue, surmount, thrash, trim, triumph (over), trounce, wallop, whip, win (against), worst, outbalance, outweigh, overbear, overshadow, trump
    near: lose (to)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Exceed

The most common words with a similar meaning to Exceed:

break, outreach, outrun, overpass, overreach, overrun, overshoot, overstep, surpass, transcend, beat, better, eclipse, excel, outclass, outdistance, outdo, outgun, outmatch, outshine, outstrip, overtop, top, tower (over), go one better, run circles around

Related Words for Exceed

encroach, entrench, infringe, invade, trespass, overdo, overuse, overutilize, overwork, one-up, outpace, outrace, best, clobber, conquer, crush, defeat, drub, lick, master, outcompete, outperform, overcome, overmatch, prevail (over), rout, shame, skunk, subdue, surmount

Near Antonyms of Exceed

lose (to)

Word Forms of Exceed

Inflections: exceeded, exceeding, exceeds

Origin & Etymology of Exceed

Middle English exceden, from Middle French exceder, from Latin excedere, from ex- + cedere to go

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Exceed

Frequently Asked Questions about Exceed

What does "Exceed" mean?

"Exceed" means to be greater than or superior to. As a verb, it is defined as: to be greater than or superior to. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Exceed"?

Other words for "Exceed" include break, outreach, outrun, overpass, overreach, overrun, overshoot and overstep. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Exceed" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Exceed"?

There are 69 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Exceed". Common alternatives include break, outreach, outrun, overpass, overreach, overrun, overshoot, overstep, surpass and transcend.

How do you use "Exceed" in a sentence?

Examples of "Exceed" in a sentence: "by resorting to corporal punishment, the teacher had clearly exceeded his authority"; "her knowledge of French wines exceeds that of anyone else I know".

Is "Exceed" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Exceed" is a verb.

Is "Exceed" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Exceed" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Exceed"?

"Exceed" is pronounced /ik-ˈsēd/ and divided into syllables as ex·ceed.

What is the origin of the word "Exceed"?

"Exceed" comes from Middle English exceden, from Middle French exceder, from Latin excedere, from ex- + cedere to go. First known use: 14th centuryt.