v.
Pronunciation: ik- ' s ē d
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English exceden, from Middle French exceder, from Latin excedere, from ex- + cedere to go
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to extend outside of <the river will exceed its banks>
2 : to be greater than or superior to
3 : to go beyond a limit set by < exceed ed his authority>
intransitive verb
1 obsolete : OVERDO
2 : PREDOMINATE
synonyms 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>.