exceed

The word “exceed” means to be greater than, or go beyond, a certain amount or limit. In plain terms, to go beyond a limit, or to be better than something.

“Exceed” is pronounced ihk-SEED (/ɪkˈsiːd/ in IPA).

Here is “exceed” used in a sentence: “His expenses exceeded the budget by a wide margin.”

Words with a similar meaning to “exceed” include top, outperform, surpass, overstep, bear away the bell and best.

The opposite of “exceed” — its antonyms — are to fail, to be inferior, to fall short, to subceed and to fall below.

“Exceed” is a verb.

The word “exceed” comes from Latin. From Old French exceder, from Latin excedere, "to go beyond," from ex- ("out") + cedere ("to go, yield") — the same root as "cede" and "accede.".

“Exceed” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

To exceed means to go beyond a limit or amount, or to be better than something specific, while to excel means to be exceptionally good at an activity. You exceed a target or a speed limit, but you excel at a skill such as maths or music.

These similar-sounding words have unrelated meanings: exceed means to go beyond a limit or surpass something, while accede means to agree to a request or to take up a high office. Only exceed relates to going past an amount or standard.

Both mean to go beyond, and they often overlap, but exceed frequently refers to passing a fixed number, limit, or standard, while surpass more often stresses outdoing someone or something in quality or achievement. You exceed the budget but surpass your rivals.

Exceed is normally used without a preposition and takes a direct object, as in exceed expectations or exceed the limit. Adding "over" is unnecessary; the related noun appears in the fixed phrase "in excess of."