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View synonyms for

excel

[ ik-sel ]

verb (used without object)

excelled, excelling.
  1. to surpass others or be superior in some respect or area; do extremely well:

    to excel in math.



verb (used with object)

excelled, excelling.
  1. to surpass; be superior to; outdo:

    He excels all other poets of his day.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,

excel

/ ɪˈɛ /

verb

  1. to be superior to (another or others); surpass
  2. intr; foll by in or at to be outstandingly good or proficient

    he excels at tennis

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • ܲe· adjective
  • ܲe·lԲ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of excel1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French exceller, from Latin excellere, equivalent to ex- ex- 1 + -cellere “to rise high, tower” (akin to celsus “h”)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of excel1

C15: from Latin excellere to rise up
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Synonym Study

Excel, outdo, surpass imply being better than others or being superior in achievement. To excel is to be superior in some quality, attainment, or performance: to excel opponents at playing chess. To outdo is to make more successful effort than others: to outdo competitors in the high jump. To surpass is to go beyond others, especially in a contest as to quality or ability: to surpass one's classmates in knowledge of corporation law.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The "flood the zone" strategy has revealed the classic Trumpian chaos and ineptitude that too many people shoved down the memory hole last November in the face of the braggadocious hucksterism at which Trump excels.

From

The administration’s tariff “formula,” based on total American imports of goods from a country, ignores services — an area where the United States consistently excels.

From

Mande said that the FDA has not historically excelled at transparency, and he is concerned that recent cuts to the agency’s communications staff will make matters worse.

From

A graduate of music videos, Saxon — like the Gondrys and Jonzes before him — excels at sheathing his yarn in idiosyncratic humor, atmosphere and technique.

From

“He wants to excel at everything he does and once he was out of the Dodgers, he doesn’t even go to Dodger games. He’s moved on.”

From

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ˈ徱Բexcellence