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Definitions

surpassing

[ser-pas-ing, -pah-sing] / sərˈpæs ɪŋ, -ˈpɑ sɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
ascendant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
predominant
STRONG
ascendent dominant superior
WEAK
commanding controlling predominating prevailing supreme
Antonyms
STRONG
humble inferior
ADJECTIVE
better
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exceptional improved superior
STRONG
choice exceeding fitter preferred sharpened sophisticated
WEAK
bigger finer greater higher quality larger more appropriate more desirable more fitting more select more suitable more useful more valuable preferable prominent souped-up worthier
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inferior
WEAK
littler more ill sicker smaller tinier unhealthy worse
ADJECTIVE
dominant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assertive commanding effective leading main powerful predominant preeminent prevailing prevalent principal
STRONG
ascendant chief demonstrative first governing imperative ruling sovereign
WEAK
authoritative bossy despotic domineering foremost imperious obtaining outweighing overbalancing overbearing overweighing paramount predominate preponderant presiding regnant reigning supreme transcendent
Antonyms
STRONGEST
auxiliary extra impotent incapable ineffective inferior minor secondary subordinate trivial unimportant weak
STRONG
inessential submissive unnecessary
WEAK
humble modest reserved retiring unaggressive unassuming uncontrolling
ADJECTIVE
especial
Synonyms
WEAK
chief distinguished dominant exclusive express extraordinary individual marked notable noteworthy outstanding paramount peculiar personal predominant preeminent preponderant principal private set signal singular special specific supreme uncommon unique unusual
Antonyms
WEAK
common general normal ordinary unexceptional unspecific usual
ADJECTIVE
great
Synonyms
STRONGEST
best brilliant consummate excellent exceptional extraordinary fine magnificent nonpareil peerless superlative supreme
STRONG
dynamite expert fantastic gifted marvelous masterly talented transcendent tremendous wonderful
WEAK
able aces adept adroit complete crack fab first-class first-rate good hellacious number one out of sight out of this world super-duper
Antonyms
STRONGEST
OK common conventional inconsiderable inferior insignificant mediocre ordinary plain poor run-of-the-mill small unamazing usual
WEAK
weak
ADJECTIVE
higher
Synonyms
WEAK
above bigger greater larger than more advanced over superior to
Antonyms
WEAK
inferior shorter smaller
ADJECTIVE
incomparable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exceptional inimitable transcendent unmatched unparalleled
WEAK
beyond compare excellent ideal matchless paramount peerless perfect preeminent second to none sovereign superior supreme towering ultimate unequalled unmatchable unrivalled unsurpassable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inferior ordinary
WEAK
common lowly poor unimpressive
ADJECTIVE
memorable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
catchy decisive enduring eventful extraordinary famous great historic important impressive indelible interesting meaningful momentous monumental notable remarkable terrific unforgettable
WEAK
A-1 big-league bodacious celebrated critical crucial distinguished doozie heavy heavyweight hot illustrious lasting major-league mind-blowing observable red-letter rememberable rubric serious signal something standout striking super terrible top-drawer
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring commonplace dull inconsequential insignificant little normal ordinary poor powerless small trivial unimportant unimpressive unknown unremarkable usual weak worthless
WEAK
forgettable unnoteworthy
ADJECTIVE
predominant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dominant dominating main potent prevailing prevalent weighty
WEAK
absolute all-powerful almighty arbitrary ascendant authoritative capital chief controlling directing effective efficacious governing holding the reins imperious influential leading mighty official omnipotent overbearing overpowering paramount predominate preponderant primary prime principal prominent reigning sovereign superior superlative supervisory supreme transcendent
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inferior minor secondary subordinate unimportant
WEAK
inconsequential trivial
ADJECTIVE
preeminent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
distinguished dominant main outstanding peerless predominant renowned transcendent ultimate
WEAK
capital chief consummate excellent foremost incomparable major matchless number one paramount principal stellar supreme towering unequalled unmatchable unrivalled unsurpassable unsurpassed
Antonyms
STRONGEST
auxiliary extra inessential inferior insignificant minor ordinary secondary subordinate unimportant unknown unnecessary
WEAK
low
ADJECTIVE
superior
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admirable exceptional first-rate good high-caliber preferable remarkable superhuman
STRONG
above capital choice dandy exclusive expert fine major over premium primary senior
WEAK
a cut above deluxe distinguished exceeding famous finer first-class first-string five-star good quality grander high-class more advanced more skillful noteworthy of higher rank overlying paramount predominant preferred prevailing superincumbent unrivalled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
detestable normal ordinary unremarkable usual
STRONG
bad inferior low-class minor poor secondary unimportant
WEAK
below humble lower meek
ADJECTIVE
superlative
Synonyms
STRONGEST
magnificent outstanding peerless superb transcendent unparalleled
STRONG
best capital crack extreme optimum tops winning
WEAK
A-1 accomplished all-time consummate effusive exaggerated excessive finished gilt-edge greatest highest hundred-proof inflated matchless of highest order standout supreme unexcelled unrivaled unsurpassed world-class
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bad inferior ordinary poor second-rate
STRONG
least worst
WEAK
low lowest second-class
ADJECTIVE
supreme
Synonyms
WEAK
absolute best cardinal chief closing crowning culminating excellent extreme final first foremost head highest incomparable last leading marvelous matchless maximum paramount peerless perfect predominant preeminent prevailing prime sovereign superb superlative terminal top top-drawer towering transcendent ultimate unequaled unmatched unparalleled unsurpassable unsurpassed utmost
Antonyms
WEAK
inferior least littlest lowly minor poor serving
ADJECTIVE
towering
Synonyms
STRONGEST
colossal gigantic imposing lofty magnificent massive mighty monumental prodigious soaring stately tall
STRONG
elevated sublime
WEAK
aerial airy extraordinary extravagant extreme fantastic great high immoderate imperial impressive inordinate intense outstanding paramount preeminent skyscraping spiring stupendous superior supreme towery transcendent tremendous ultimate undue unmatchable unmeasurable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
common insignificant little low miniature modest ordinary poor small teeny tiny trivial unimportant unimposing unimpressive
STRONG
lowly
WEAK
dwarfed minor short
ADJECTIVE
transcendent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abstract fantastic otherworldly sublime supernatural ultimate
WEAK
absolute accomplished beyond grasp boundless consummate entire eternal exceeding finished hypothetical ideal incomparable infinite innate intact intellectual intuitive matchless obscure original peerless perfect pre-eminent primordial superior supreme theoretical towering transcendental transcending transmundane unequalable unequalled unique unparalleled unrivalled whole
Antonyms
STRONGEST
poor real secondary
WEAK
inferior ordinary simple
ADJECTIVE
transcendent/transcendental
Synonyms
WEAK
absolute abstract accomplished beyond grasp boundless consummate entire eternal exceeding fantastic finished hypothetical ideal incomparable infinite innate intact intellectual intuitive matchless obscure original otherworldly peerless perfect preeminent primordial second to none sublime supernatural supreme theoretical towering transcending transmundane ultimate unequalable unequalled unique unparalleled unrivalled whole
Antonyms
WEAK
inferior ordinary simple
ADJECTIVE
ultimate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
preeminent transcendent utmost
STRONG
extreme max maxi maximum superlative
WEAK
highest incomparable most paramount significant supreme the most topmost towering unequalable unmatchable unsurpassable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inferior
STRONG
lowest
WEAK
inessential least secondary unnecessary worst
ADJECTIVE
unequaled
Synonyms
STRONGEST
peerless unmatched unparalleled unrivaled unsurpassed
WEAK
alone beyond compare incomparable inimitable matchless nonpareil only paramount second to none towering transcendent ultimate unique unparagoned without equal
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inferior
WEAK
minor second-rate
ADJECTIVE
unsurpassable
Synonyms
WEAK
extreme highest incomparable max maxi maximum most paramount preeminent significant superlative supreme the most topmost towering transcendent unequalable unmatchable utmost uttermost
PREPOSITION
above
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exceeding
WEAK
before beyond prior to superior to
Antonyms
WEAK
below deficient inferior

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Medical procedures, including a left-leg amputation and tumor removal from his skull, have cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars—a sum surpassing what the potential settlement might yield.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

U.S. oil prices are set to close below $100 a barrel for an eighth consecutive day, surpassing the six days they spent above the milestone.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy shared last week that the business is growing at triple-digit rates, surpassing $20 billion in annual run rate.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Shares now trade for 95 times expected earnings over the next 12 months, surpassing their previous peak of 60 times reached in 2021, and fetching more than Nvidia, Taiwan Semi, Broadcom, and Advanced Micro Devices.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

With infinite pains and surpassing skill she produced a wondrous tapestry on which the whole account of her wrongs was unfolded.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Vocabulary lists containing surpassing

"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 26

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