# surpass

/sɝˈpæs/ (US) · /səpˈɑːs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/surpass
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

to be even better or greater than someone or something else. You use this when a result is higher than what you expected.

For teachers: to exceed a particular limit, expectation, or achievement; to be superior in quality or degree.

## Examples

- The final sales figures surpass our original goals.
- The athlete worked hard to surpass the world record during the summer games.
- The beauty of the mountain range at sunset managed to surpass even the most vivid descriptions found in the travel guidebooks.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He surpassed from his brother in math." but "He surpassed his brother in math." — Surpass is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'from'.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and requires a direct object representing the limit or person being exceeded.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.