excel

verb

ex·​cel ik-ˈsel 

excelled; excelling

transitive verb

: to be superior to : surpass in accomplishment or achievement

intransitive verb

: to be distinguishable by superiority : surpass others

excel in sports

excelled at lipreading

Synonyms

• beat
• better
• eclipse
• exceed
• outclass
• outdistance
• outdo
• outgun
• outmatch
• outshine
• outstrip
• overtop
• surpass
• top
• tower (over)
• transcend

Choose the Right Synonym for excel

exceed, surpass, transcend, excel, outdo, outstrip mean to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree.

exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.

exceed the speed limit

surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.

transcended the values of their culture

excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.

excels in mathematics

outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

Examples of excel in a Sentence

She excels everyone else in sports.

the special effects in this new sci-fi extravaganza excel any that we've seen previously

Recent Examples on the Web

Shopify and BigCommerce excel in scalability, allowing businesses to expand without worrying about outgrowing their e-commerce solution. —Robert Giovannini, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024

Foam beds tend to excel at motion isolation, but hybrids with several foam layers also do a great job at this. —Lindsay Boyers, Architectural Digest, 27 Sep. 2024

Smith likewise excelled with Shakespearean and classic fare, including as the Duchess of York in the film version of Richard III (1995), in addition to Othello. —Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Sep. 2024

The species that excelled at finding food had genes that produced taste receptors on its feet. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English excellen, from Latin excellere, from ex- + -cellere to rise, project; akin to Latin collis hill — more at hill

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing excel

• excel oneself

Kids Definition

excel

verb

ex·​cel ik-ˈsel 

excelled; excelling

: to do or be better than others : surpass

a student who excels in sports

excels her brother at tennis