surpass

Everyday

1. (formal) To surpass is to be better or greater than someone or something: she surpassed her own best score. tree →
2. (formal) To surpass is to go beyond what was expected or hoped: the result surpassed our hopes. tree →

In the lessons

Formal and exam voice; in sports and school, to surpass a record or a target. In maths, «the sales surpassed 500» means they became more than 500. Plain words: beat, do better than, be more than, go over.

Examples

• Her score surpassed everyone else's in the class. tree →
• The tower surpassed all the other buildings in height. tree →
• The school fair surpassed our hopes and raised lots of money. tree →
• He surpassed his personal best in the 100 metres. tree →
• The film surpassed all the others in ticket sales. tree →
• If the class raises 300 pounds, it will surpass its goal of 250. tree →
• No one could surpass him in depth of feeling or in readiness of intellect. tree →

Note

Formal; in speech say «beat» or «be more than». It is followed directly by an object: «surpass the record», not «surpass over the record». In maths, «surpass 50» means «more than 50» (greater, not equal).

In Jewish tradition

Daniel's surpassing spirit shows wisdom as a gift from God, not just cleverness.

Interpretation. Tradition sees Daniel as a faithful Jew who rose in a foreign court yet stayed loyal to God.

Examples

• This image, which was mighty, and whose brightness was surpassing, stood before thee; and the appearance thereof was terrible. (Writings DAN.2.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• I have heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and surpassing wisdom is found in thee. (Writings DAN.5.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the presidents and the satraps, because a surpassing spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. (Writings DAN.6.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Formal; in speech say «beat» or «be more than». It is followed directly by an object: «surpass the record», not «surpass over the record». In maths, «surpass 50» means «more than 50» (greater, not equal).