as in surpassed
to be greater, better, or stronger than
the special effects in this new sci-fi extravaganza excel any that we've seen previously
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 excelled
James excelled immediately with Anthony Davis after pushing the Lakers to acquire him.
—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Born in Richmond's West End, the Jasper twins excelled on the track field as hurdlers and in school, serving as co-valedictorians of John Marshall High School.
—
Stephanie Gallman Jordan,
Southern Living,
24 June 2026
One of the most successful players in this age group in Europe’s pro ranks this season, Chrenko excelled for long stretches of the year in Slovakia’s top flight and has an impressive international track record.
—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Meneses, 34, excelled in Triple-A this season after signing a minor league deal with the A’s in the offseason.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
22 June 2026
The 5-foot-11, 230-pound Johnson, who also excelled at track, recently transferred from McArthur High School in Broward County to Miami Carol City.
—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 2026
Pulisic excelled at the previous 2022 World Cup, scoring the winning goal against Iran that sent the United States into the round of 16.
—
Tushaar Kuthiala,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 June 2026
Harrison was flipped to the Brewers in the offseason, and, surprise, surprise, has immediately excelled.
—
Ian Miller Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
However, more and more retailers are now releasing petite-friendly styles, and Quince has excelled at crafting high-quality wardrobe essentials that don’t require any alterations.
—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
17 June 2026
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Born in Richmond's West End, the Jasper twins excelled on the track field as hurdlers and in school, serving as co-valedictorians of John Marshall High School.
—
Stephanie Gallman Jordan,
Southern Living,
24 June 2026
One of the most successful players in this age group in Europe’s pro ranks this season, Chrenko excelled for long stretches of the year in Slovakia’s top flight and has an impressive international track record.
—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Meneses, 34, excelled in Triple-A this season after signing a minor league deal with the A’s in the offseason.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
22 June 2026
The 5-foot-11, 230-pound Johnson, who also excelled at track, recently transferred from McArthur High School in Broward County to Miami Carol City.
—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 2026
Pulisic excelled at the previous 2022 World Cup, scoring the winning goal against Iran that sent the United States into the round of 16.
—
Tushaar Kuthiala,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 June 2026
Harrison was flipped to the Brewers in the offseason, and, surprise, surprise, has immediately excelled.
—
Ian Miller Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
However, more and more retailers are now releasing petite-friendly styles, and Quince has excelled at crafting high-quality wardrobe essentials that don’t require any alterations.
—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excelled
Verb
-
The search has now surpassed the first 72 hours –– the most critical window for finding survivors.
-
But, in the decades that followed, other cities caught up and eventually surpassed New York; one of them was Ibiza, where clubs like Pacha showed vacationing Europeans how to rave all night.
Verb
-
Between 2022 and 2024, public cash injections exceeded 10%of GDP, according to a study published last year by the Institute of Economics and Peace, an Australian think tank.
-
If the cost of tokens has already exceeded the cost of the employees they were meant to replace, when does the comparison start running in the other direction?
Verb
-
This year, the usual backyard cookouts and fireworks are being eclipsed by once-in-a-generation celebrations marking the nation’s 250th birthday.
-
That power is not wholly spent, nor wholly eclipsed, by anti-democratic forces.
Verb
-
Fans sang the 1971 anthem in unison after the USMNT topped Australia 2-0, perhaps becoming a new tradition for soccer fans.
-
So do savings accounts, CDs and gold, the asset classes that topped the Gallup poll at times in the Great Recession era.
Cite this Entry
“Excelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excelled. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
