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transcend

verb
tran·​scend | \ tran(t)-ˈsend How to pronounce transcend (audio) \
transcended; transcending; transcends

Definition of transcend

transitive verb

1a : to rise above or go beyond the limits of
b : to triumph over the negative or restrictive aspects of : overcome
c : to be prior to, beyond, and above (the universe or material existence)
2 : to outstrip or outdo in some attribute, quality, or power

intransitive verb

: to rise above or extend notably beyond ordinary limits
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym When Should You Use transcend? Example Sentences Learn More about transcend

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Choose the Right Synonym for transcend

exceed, surpass, transcend, excel, outdo, outstrip mean to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree. exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement. exceed the speed limit surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill. the book surpassed our expectations transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits. transcended the values of their culture excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others. excels in mathematics outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before. outdid herself this time outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition. outstripped other firms in sales

When Should You Use transcend?

Great leaders are expected to transcend the limitations of politics, especially during wartime and national crises. A great writer may transcend geographical boundaries to become internationally respected. And certain laws of human nature seem to transcend historical periods and hold true for all times and all places.

Examples of transcend in a Sentence

music that transcends cultural boundaries She was able to transcend her own suffering and help others. Her concerns transcended local issues.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Sports transcend anger, and discussing the game can be a nice rest from talking about grades, college admissions, and curfew. — Susan Spencer, Woman's Day, "10 Activities to Do With Teenagers When They're Being, Well, Teenagers," 3 Sep. 2019 Throughout Stranger Things 3, Starcourt invokes and transcends tropes associated with malls in teen pop culture, offering evidence of the show’s empathy for its female characters along the way. — Michelle Delgado, The Atlantic, "What the Starcourt Mall Means to the World of Stranger Things," 17 July 2019 Our flight lasted just 15 minutes, but like every experience that commands total attention, each moment transcended ordinary time. — Nancy Moreland, The Seattle Times, "Ready for takeoff: A nervous flyer takes on America’s Seaplane City," 3 July 2018 The purchase of their first Miami home transcended into the creation of The Copper Door Bed and Breakfast. — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, "Airbnb Partners With The NAACP To Host Pilgrimage To Ghana For ‘The Year of Return’," 27 Aug. 2019 Suffering is life, but all of it must be transcended. — Los Angeles Times, "Commentary: How two top directors are teaching Europe the L.A. School of Opera," 23 Aug. 2019 The moment transcended from being part of the VMA’s wild history to becoming part of pop culture conversation, to where even the president had an opinion on it. — Billboard Staff, Billboard, "Looking Back at the VMAs 10 Years Later: A Billboard Staff Kanye/Taylor Roundtable," 22 Aug. 2019 But its identity also stretches well past beer, which at once underscores the best of craft beer — memorable beer and, yes, experience — while also transcending it. — Josh Noel, chicagotribune.com, "With beer, pizza and pastiche, Middle Brow brewery makes Bungalow brewpub feel like home," 21 Aug. 2019 Okanagan Valley The Okanagan Valley is home to 150 vineyards—and a region-wide fall wine festival every October—but this country transcends wine. — Outside Online, "The Best Places to Savor Fall in British Columbia," 14 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'transcend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of transcend

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology for transcend

Middle English, from Latin transcendere to climb across, transcend, from trans- + scandere to climb — more at scan

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More Definitions for transcend

transcend

verb
How to pronounce transcend (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of transcend

formal : to rise above or go beyond the normal limits of (something)

See the full definition for transcend in the English Language Learners Dictionary

transcend

verb
tran·​scend | \ tran-ˈsend How to pronounce transcend (audio) \
transcended; transcending

Kids Definition of transcend

1 : to rise above the limits of The music transcends cultural boundaries.
2 : to do better or more than The poem transcended all others in its beauty.

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More from Merriam-Webster on transcend

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with transcend

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for transcend

Spanish Central: Translation of transcend

Nglish: Translation of transcend for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of transcend for Arabic Speakers

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