Synonym Chooser

How does the verb excel contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of excel are exceed, outdo, outstrip, surpass, and transcend. While all these words mean "to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree," excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.

excels in mathematics

Where would exceed be a reasonable alternative to excel?

The words exceed and excel are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.

exceed the speed limit

When is outdo a more appropriate choice than excel?

Although the words outdo and excel have much in common, outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

When can outstrip be used instead of excel?

The words outstrip and excel can be used in similar contexts, but outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

In what contexts can surpass take the place of excel?

The meanings of surpass and excel largely overlap; however, surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

When is it sensible to use transcend instead of excel?

In some situations, the words transcend and excel are roughly equivalent. However, transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.

transcended the values of their culture

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of excel The International Motor Sports Association arranged for 27 high school students who excel in STEM programs to come to the speedway this past Friday to educate the teens on how many opportunities exist in motorsports for those interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Jenna Fryer, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025 Edmunds excelled throwing to All-County juniors Troy Foster and Steel Kurtz. Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2025 Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from psychologists with specializations in sleep medicine. Jamie Ballard, Allure, 16 Jan. 2025 Playing a damaged man, Abbott excels at brooding intensity but also at the softer side of someone emotionally scarred by an awful childhood. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for excel 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excel
Verb
  • Projects must be feature dramas or animations intended for commercial theatrical exhibition in Hong Kong, with a runtime of at least 80 minutes and a production budget not exceeding $7.7 million.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Those losses would far exceed the $12.5 billion in insured damages from the 2018 Camp Fire, which until now was the costliest blaze in the country’s history, according to data from Aon.
    Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • For the first time in the 22-year history of Randstad's annual review of the world of work, surpassed pay (79 percent) as a key motivator for employees.
    Aliss Higham, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
  • All kidding aside, the Wild have surpassed the expectations of many, including The Athletic staff.
    Michael Russo, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The heartbroken sister remembered her brother as a kind-hearted and family-oriented man working to better his life.
    Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Exercise isn’t the only way people try to better themselves when a new calendar sets in.
    Jack Butler, National Review, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Sly Stone's struggles with cocaine have been well documented, even, at times, eclipsing his achievements as an artist.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 24 Jan. 2025
  • On February 13, another major aviation disaster eclipsed the Skymaster.
    Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Spartans used four third-period goals to top the Gophers 9-3 in the series opener of the top two teams in the Big Ten.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Jake Heller-Bottari and Mitchell Dumas put up 15 points apiece, and three other players finished with double digit scoring numbers as Mystic Valley (11-2) topped Pioneer Charter (Everett) 66-59 in a nonleague contest.
    Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near excel

Cite this Entry

“Excel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excel. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on excel

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