excel
verb
transitive verb
intransitive verb
Synonyms
- beat
- better
- eclipse
- exceed
- outclass
- outdistance
- outdo
- outgun
- outmatch
- outshine
- outstrip
- overtop
- surpass
- top
- tower (over)
- transcend
Example Sentences
Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2022 But Alabama’s pass protection, including its running backs and tight ends, did not excel in the game. Christopher Smith, al, 6 Sep. 2021 As with the combined R&B/hip-hop charts, the blended rock and alternative tallies reflect the reach of acts who excel in music that straddles different sides of the ever-evolving rock and alternative genres. Billboard Staff, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2022 Players that really excel do more than what’s asked of them. Stephen Means, cleveland, 24 Aug. 2022 Research shows that companies that excel at personalization generate an incremental 10% to 15% revenue lift from their efforts. Yec, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 That hasn’t stopped her dad from being trolled online, particularly by soccer fans, who excel in trash-talking and, in this case, speculating about what his daughter might be up to. James Hookway, WSJ, 9 Aug. 2022 That society recognizes and reveres the individuals who excel at these sports as winners is a crucial element. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2022 Yes, the Blazers traded primarily the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2025 first-round pick, acquired from New Orleans in the McCollum deal, for the 6-8 Grant, who can excel at power forward or small forward. oregonlive, 7 July 2022 See More Word History
Middle English excellen, from Latin excellere, from ex- + -cellere to rise, project; akin to Latin collis hill — more at hill
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Phrases Containing excel
Kids Definition
excel
verb
excel
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- surpass
- exceed
- better
- top
- eclipse
- transcend
- outclass
- outshine
- outdo
- outstrip
- beat
- outmatch
- outdistance
- master
- outgun
- overcome
- overtop
- outpace
- best
- outperform
- overshadow
- run rings around
- conquer
- defeat
- outrun
- go one better
- run circles around
- surmount
- tower (over)
- worst
- outrace
- outweigh
- overmatch
- outcompete
- subdue
- trounce
- trump
- rout
- clobber
- lick
- crush
- trim
- shame
- overbear
- one-up
- thrash
- overpass
- whip
- outbalance
- drub
- prevail (over)
- wallop
- win (against)
- triumph (over)
- skunk
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lose (to)
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of excel are exceed, outdo, outstrip, surpass, and transcend. While all these words mean "to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree," excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.
The words exceed and excel are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.
Although the words outdo and excel have much in common, outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.
The words outstrip and excel can be used in similar contexts, but outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.
The meanings of surpass and excel largely overlap; however, surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.
In some situations, the words transcend and excel are roughly equivalent. However, transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.