French word

surpasser

Pronunciation

IPA/syʁpase/

Meaning

  • verbexceed

Example

La demande a surpassé l'offre.

Demand exceeded supply.

Illustration for surpasser (exceed)

More examples

Le nouveau modèle a surpassé l'ancien en qualité.

The new model outstripped the old one in quality.

Core concept

A measured result moving past a rival, limit, or earlier level.

Common phrases

  • surpasser quelqu'un

    outstrip someone

  • surpasser en qualité

    excel in quality

  • surpasser les espérances

    surpass expectations

Similar words

dépasser: Pass a numerical benchmark, limit, or level.
devancer: Be ahead of someone in time or place.
battre: Overcome an opponent in a contest or dispute.

Definition in French

Dépasser quelqu'un ou quelque chose en importance, en quantité ou en qualité.

Word origin

The verb combines the French prefix sur- with passer and developed the comparative sense of passing beyond something else.

Usage tips

  • The related reflexive form se surpasser means to exceed one's own previous performance, not to exceed another object directly.

Other meanings

  • outdoverb
  • outstripverb

Opposites

Related words

  • surpassementthe act of surpassingnoun

Word lists with this word