exceeded

verb

past tense of exceed
1
as in surpassed
to go beyond the limit of by resorting to corporal punishment, the teacher had clearly exceeded his authority

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in eclipsed
to be greater, better, or stronger than her knowledge of French wines exceeds that of anyone else I know

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exceeded Opera Carolina saw a steep 67% decline in total revenue over a four-year period, and its liabilities exceeded its assets by nearly $4 million, according to its latest tax return. — Catherine Muccigrosso july 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026 This led to a state audit in 2018 that concluded the system took much longer to address complaints against faculty than staff, imposed inconsistent disciplinary action on repeat offenders, and often exceeded investigation timeframes. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026 Of the nearly 16% of S & P 500 companies that have released earnings so far, more than 87% have exceeded expectations, according to FactSet data as of Wednesday afternoon. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 23 July 2026 As of 2024, this segment of the market already exceeded $400 billion. — Anan Bishara, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Still, demand for the blockbuster adaptation of Homer’s epic poem has exceeded expectations. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 22 July 2026 The city also exceeded the average rate in recreational categories like splashpads and swimming pools per 100,000 residents. — Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 22 July 2026 In Citrus County, where a small town was slated to play host to Florida’s first hyperscale data center, opponents of the project packed the commission and exceeded its overflow room, the Tampa Bay Times reported. — Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026 The dividend exceeded last year’s by about $15 million — a 20% increase. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exceeded
  1. surpassed
  2. eclipsed
  3. topped
Verb
  • In South Korea last year, the number of divorces among couples who had been married at least 30 years surpassed divorces among younger couples who were married less than five years – for the first time ever.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
  • The cinematic masterpiece surpassed both critics’ and box office expectations in its opening weekend.
    — Dr. Samantha Madhosingh, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of surpassed
Verb
  • During the spring of 2024, De La Cruz was offered an extension that would’ve eclipsed Votto’s 10-year, $225-million deal as the largest in Reds history.
    — C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Shares have managed to hold in their longer, neutral range and now have eclipsed their 50-month moving average.
    — Jay Woods, CNBC, 23 July 2026
Definition of eclipsed
Verb
  • Rodrigo looked laidback for the outing with her long dark hair pulled back into a low ponytail and topped with a blue baseball cap.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 27 July 2026
  • The Lavish Habits — gin or vodka with coconut cream, orange blossom, celery bitters, lemon and lime topped with a sprig of fresh dill, $15 — is my new favorite summer cocktail.
    — Beth Rankin, Denver Post, 27 July 2026
Definition of topped

Browse Nearby Words

exceed
exceeded
exceeding
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exceeded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exceeded. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on exceeded

Nglish: Translation of exceeded for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All