SURPASSING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does surpassing mean? 

• SURPASSING (adjective)
  The adjective SURPASSING has 2 senses:

1. exceeding or surpassing usual limits especially in excellence

2. far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree

  Familiarity information: SURPASSING used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SURPASSING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Exceeding or surpassing usual limits especially in excellence

Synonyms:

surpassing; transcendent

Similar:

superior (of high or superior quality or performance)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree

Synonyms:

exceeding; exceptional; olympian; prodigious; surpassing

Context example:

the young Mozart's prodigious talents

Similar:

extraordinary (beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable)

 Context examples 

For the year to date, the average global temperature was 1.75 degrees F above average, surpassing the heat record set in 2015 by 0.18 degrees.

(Last month tied as 3rd warmest October on record for the globe, NOAA)

This was the highest for June in the 1880–2015 record, surpassing the previous record set last year in 2014 by 0.11°F (0.06°C).

(June 2015 was warmest June on record for the globe, NOAA)

This was the highest for March in the 1880–2015 record, surpassing the previous record of 2010 by 0.09°F (0.05°C).

(March 2015 and first quarter of year warmest on record, NOAA)

Time had altered her since I last beheld her; it had endowed her with loveliness surpassing the beauty of her childish years.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Anxiety and hope now oppressed her in equal degrees, and left her no moment of tranquillity till the arrival of Mr. Harris at four o'clock;—when his assurances, his felicitations on a recovery in her sister even surpassing his expectation, gave her confidence, comfort, and tears of joy.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished; that of Mrs. Bennet perhaps surpassing the rest; though, when the first tumult of joy was over, she began to declare that it was what she had expected all the while.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

But, on hearing from my aunt that I should sometimes come over on a Saturday, and that he could sometimes come and see me on a Wednesday, he revived; and vowed to make another kite for those occasions, of proportions greatly surpassing the present one.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

If it should chance, he said, that through the surpassing merits of the blessed Paul your sin-stained soul should gain a way into paradise, I trust that you will not forget that intercession which you have promised.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Some persons might have considered these pleasing liberties as bribes, but Demi didn't see it in that light, and continued to patronize the 'the bear-man' with pensive affability, while Daisy bestowed her small affections upon him at the third call, and considered his shoulder her throne, his arm her refuge, his gifts treasures surpassing worth.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Active and fearless, and though rather small, strongly made, she seemed formed for a horsewoman; and to the pure genuine pleasure of the exercise, something was probably added in Edmund's attendance and instructions, and something more in the conviction of very much surpassing her sex in general by her early progress, to make her unwilling to dismount.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)