surpass
Go beyond limits
To surpass is to exceed or go beyond—in quality, degree, or achievement.
A student surpasses her teacher when she outperforms them.
Results can surpass expectations.
The sequel surpassed the original in every way.
The word often implies not just meeting a standard but rising above it.
Surpass or overtake
- outpaceExceed in velocity
- overtakePass while moving faster
- eclipseCelestial body blocks another
- outperformAchieve superior results
outshine · outclass · outdistance · outdo · best · top · trump · beat
Go beyond limits
- elevateTo raise upward
- rise aboveOvercome by staying superior
- ascendMove upward
- sublimeAwe-inspiring greatness
ethereal · otherworldly · breakthrough · transformation · enlightenment · awakening · ineffable · boundless
Superior status above others
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- unrivaledHaving no equal
- peerlessHaving no equal
matchless · incomparable · unbeatable · elite · foremost · leading · premier · paramount
Exceeding prior bests
- milestoneNotable event marking progress
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- triumphResounding, celebrated victory
- pinnacleUtmost summit or spire
peak · benchmark · personal best · crowning achievement · all-time high · unprecedented · historic · landmark
outstrip
Surpass or overtake
outperform · outshine · outclass · outdistance · outdo · best · top · trump · beat · exceed
transcend
Go beyond limits
- elevateTo raise upward
- rise aboveOvercome by staying superior
- ascendMove upward
sublime · ethereal · otherworldly · breakthrough · transformation · enlightenment · awakening · ineffable · boundless
preeminence
Superior status above others
peerless · matchless · incomparable · unbeatable · elite · foremost · leading · premier · paramount · top-tier
record-breaking
Exceeding prior bests
- milestoneNotable event marking progress
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- triumphResounding, celebrated victory
pinnacle · peak · benchmark · personal best · crowning achievement · all-time high · unprecedented · historic · landmark
- stand outshine, excel, outshine, eclipse, transcend
- competition verbscompete, rival, contend, challenge, oppose
- rankingsrankings, first, college rankings, second, third
- dominateovercome, subdue, prevail, conquer, defeat
- outdo someoneoutshine, outclass, outdo, eclipse, best
- success wordssucceed, win, achieve, excel, thrive
surpassfall short
Fail to reach standard
fail · underperform · fall behind · lose · lag
surpassed, unsurpassed, surpassing, surpasses, surpassingly, surpassable