v.
Pronunciation: s ə r- ' pas
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle French surpasser, from sur- + passer to passive
Date: 1555
1 : to become better, greater, or stronger than : EXCEED < surpass ed her rivals> < surpass ed all expectations>
2 : to go beyond : OVERSTEP
3 : to transcend the reach, capacity, or powers of <a beauty that surpass es description>
synonyms see EXCEED
– sur · pass · able \ - ' pa-s ə -b ə l \ adjective