as in exceeding
to be greater, better, or stronger than
the special effects in this new sci-fi extravaganza excel any that we've seen previously
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Recent Examples of excelling
The truth is, managing a game and operating within a system of offense are two of the most important things about excelling at the most demanding position in professional sports.
—
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High and Flanagan High are also known for excelling in competitions.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
While crass and lazy, the moniker did at least have a link to reality at a time when her male counterpart was excelling.
—Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Dee Farrand, 57, of Marana, Arizona, could once run five miles and was excelling at her job in sales.
—Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
John Brodie’s Success Beyond Football Brodie was a man of many hats, excelling as a golfer and television analyst.
—Trevor Woods, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Parker excelling in that area was a big positive.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
The national rankings, published in October, recognize K-8 schools excelling in academics and student achievement.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2026
And especially for a teenager such as Lehman, who continued to play hockey, and also made time for lacrosse and baseball while excelling in school.
—Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High and Flanagan High are also known for excelling in competitions.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
While crass and lazy, the moniker did at least have a link to reality at a time when her male counterpart was excelling.
—Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Dee Farrand, 57, of Marana, Arizona, could once run five miles and was excelling at her job in sales.
—Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
John Brodie’s Success Beyond Football Brodie was a man of many hats, excelling as a golfer and television analyst.
—Trevor Woods, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Parker excelling in that area was a big positive.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
The national rankings, published in October, recognize K-8 schools excelling in academics and student achievement.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2026
And especially for a teenager such as Lehman, who continued to play hockey, and also made time for lacrosse and baseball while excelling in school.
—Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excelling
Verb
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States that automatically send every report to police are far exceeding federal requirements, experts said.—
Shoshana Walter,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Shares of networking equipment company Cisco have rallied about 18% since reporting its latest quarter in mid-November, greatly exceeding the S & P 500 gain of about 2% over the same time period.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The 43-point defeat was the worst in program history, surpassing a 31-point loss to Texas in 1984.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The country’s trade hit a record high last year, surpassing 3 trillion Malaysian ringgit ($780 billion).—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With current policies and spending, the country’s national debt will surge to 120% of GDP by 2030, eclipsing the previous record of 106% set right after World War II.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
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Week leading up, the game dominated headlines, alongside and even eclipsing the war.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Notable versions include those by Johnny Cash, John Denver, John Fogerty, and a 1976 chart-topping version by Lynn Anderson, as well as recent interpretations by Sturgill Simpson and Kelsey Waldon.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
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The title is also riding high across South Asia, including chart-topping or near-the-top placement in markets such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, reinforcing the film’s regional pull beyond its home base.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Excelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excelling. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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