1
Core action
Exceeded or went beyond a person, quantity, standard, expectation, or previous achievement.
Example
The new telescope surpassed its predecessor in sensitivity.
surpassed
/səˈpɑːst/ · sur-PASTverb
Exceeded or went beyond a person, quantity, standard, expectation, or previous achievement.
Use surpassed to express this relationship precisely: exceeded or went beyond a person, quantity, standard, expectation, or previous achievement.
What surpassed Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
Attendance surpassed the organizers' expectations.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
Her final score surpassed the national record.
Use surpassed Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The new telescope surpassed its predecessor in sensitivity.
Attendance surpassed the organizers' expectations.
Her final score surpassed the national record.
Precision Matters
Surpassed overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
surpassed
vs.Means exceeded or went beyond a person, quantity, standard, expectation, or previous achievement.
overshadow
Means appear more important, impressive, or noticeable than something else, causing it to receive less attention.
surpassed
vs.Means exceeded or went beyond a person, quantity, standard, expectation, or previous achievement.
proliferate
Means increase, multiply, reproduce, or spread rapidly in number or amount.
surpassed
vs.Means exceeded or went beyond a person, quantity, standard, expectation, or previous achievement.
promote
Means encourage, support, or contribute to the development, progress, growth, or acceptance of something.
surpassed
vs.Means exceeded or went beyond a person, quantity, standard, expectation, or previous achievement.
prestige
Means high respect, admiration, status, or influence gained through achievement, quality, reputation, or association.
Test surpassed in Context
The design exceeded the performance of all previous prototypes.
1
By reaching an efficiency of 92 percent, the new design ___ every earlier prototype.