Library / English Dictionary

SURPASS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Be or do something to a greater degree

Example:

This car outperforms all others in its class

Synonyms:

exceed; outdo; outgo; outmatch; outperform; outstrip; surmount; surpass

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "surpass" is one way to...):

beat; beat out; crush; shell; trounce; vanquish (come out better in a competition, race, or conflict)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "surpass"):

outwear (last longer than others)

outmarch (march longer distances and for a longer time than)

shame (surpass or beat by a wide margin)

outfox (outdo someone in trickery)

out-herod (surpass someone in cruelty or evil)

outbrave (be braver than)

outweigh (be heavier than)

outrange (have a greater range than (another gun))

outshine (attract more attention and praise than others)

beat; circumvent; outfox; outsmart; outwit; overreach (beat through cleverness and wit)

outgrow (grow faster than)

outcry; outshout (shout louder than)

outroar (roar louder than)

outsail (sail faster or better than)

outdraw (draw a gun faster, or best someone in a gunfight)

outsell (sell more than others)

outsell (be sold more often than other, similar products)

outpace (surpass in speed)

better; break (surpass in excellence)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Move past

Example:

One line of soldiers surpassed the other

Synonyms:

go by; go past; pass; pass by; surpass; travel by

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "surpass" is one way to...):

go; locomote; move; travel (change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "surpass"):

skirt (pass around or about; move along the border)

run by (pass by while running)

fly by (pass by while flying)

fly by; whisk by; zip by (move by very quickly)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sentence example:

These cars won't surpass

Sense 3

Meaning:

Be greater in scope or size than some standard

Example:

Their loyalty exceeds their national bonds

Synonyms:

exceed; surpass; transcend

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "surpass"):

overgrow (grow too large)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 4

Meaning:

Distinguish oneself

Example:

She excelled in math

Synonyms:

excel; stand out; surpass

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "surpass"):

exceed; go past; overstep; pass; top; transcend (be superior or better than some standard)

outrank; rank (take precedence or surpass others in rank)

excel at; shine at (be good at)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Credits

 Context examples: 

Oh! certainly, cried his faithful assistant, no one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

The long-lived rover surpassed the marathon mark during a drive of 46.5 meters.

(Opportunity Mars Rover Passes Marathon Distance, NASA)

Marianne spoke inconsiderately what she really felt—but when she saw how much she had pained Edward, her own vexation at her want of thought could not be surpassed by his.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

With this last repetition of the magic word that had kept him going at all, and in which he surpassed all his previous efforts, Mr. Micawber rushed out of the house; leaving us in a state of excitement, hope, and wonder, that reduced us to a condition little better than his own.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

However, as ocean temperatures have slowly inched upward in recent decades, tropical North Atlantic sea surface temperatures have surpassed the warmth of prehistoric levels—and are expected to warm more over the next century as the climate heats up.

(Monster hurricanes struck U.S. Northeast during prehistoric periods of ocean warming, NSF)

If it should chance, he said, that through the surpassing merits of the blessed Paul your sin-stained soul should gain a way into paradise, I trust that you will not forget that intercession which you have promised.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Some persons might have considered these pleasing liberties as bribes, but Demi didn't see it in that light, and continued to patronize the 'the bear-man' with pensive affability, while Daisy bestowed her small affections upon him at the third call, and considered his shoulder her throne, his arm her refuge, his gifts treasures surpassing worth.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

An integrated approach of graphene and silicon-based photonics can meet and surpass the foreseeable requirements of the ever-increasing data rates in future telecom systems, said Professor Andrea Ferrari, Director of the Cambridge Graphene Centre.

(Graphene may exceed bandwidth demands of future telecommunications, University of Cambridge)

Now, by analyzing the structure of hibonite-based blue pigments, Subramanian has developed a way to match or surpass cobalt blue's vividness while using much less of the harmful carcinogenic cobalt ion or replacing it entirely.

(Chemists find path to 'new blue' in meteorite minerals, National Science Foundation)

Active and fearless, and though rather small, strongly made, she seemed formed for a horsewoman; and to the pure genuine pleasure of the exercise, something was probably added in Edmund's attendance and instructions, and something more in the conviction of very much surpassing her sex in general by her early progress, to make her unwilling to dismount.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)