WordValetranscend
to go beyond the limits of
In more detail
1. (verb) to go beyond the limits of something; to exceed
2. (verb) to be greater or more important than something else
Examples
- 1. The athlete's performance transcended all previous records.
- 2. Their love transcended the differences between them.
How to use transcend
Transcend emphasizes moving beyond or rising above something, often with a sense of achievement or elevation. It carries a more intellectual or elevated tone than the simpler 'exceed,' and is frequently used in contexts involving overcoming barriers, limitations, or ordinary categories. It suggests not just surpassing in quantity but in quality or significance.
Common phrases
- transcend boundaries
- transcend limits
- transcend differences
- transcend the ordinary
- transcend national borders
Synonyms
exceed · surpass · go beyond · outstrip · rise above
Opposites
fall short of · underperform
Word family
transcendence (noun) · transcendent (adjective) · transcendental (adjective) · transcendently (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use transcend when they mean simply 'cross over' or 'pass through'—transcend implies going beyond limits or expectations, not just movement across physical space.
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