transcend

verb tran·scend \tran(t)-ˈsend\

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

Full Definition of TRANSCEND

transitive verb

a : 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)

: to outstrip or outdo in some attribute, quality, or power

intransitive verb

: to rise above or extend notably beyond ordinary limits

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Origin of TRANSCEND

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TRANSCEND

Synonyms: beat, better, eclipse, exceed, excel, outclass, outdistance, outdo, outgun, outmatch, outshine, outstrip, overtop, top, tower (over), surpass

Synonym Discussion of 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>.

Rhymes with TRANSCEND

addend, amend, append, ascend, attend, bartend, befriend, Big Bend, bookend, boyfriend, closed-end, commend, compend, contend, dead end, dead-end, defend, depend, descend, distend, downtrend, emend, expend, extend, fag end, forfend, front-end, girlfriend, Gravesend, headend, high-end, hornblende, impend, intend, Land's End, loose end, low-end, missend, misspend, next friend, no end, offend, on end, Ostend, outspend, perpend, pitchblende, portend, pretend, propend, protend, rear-end, resend, sheet bend, South Bend, split end, stipend, subtend, suspend, tag end, tail end, tight end, top-end, unbend, unkenned, upend, uptrend, weekend, year-end

TRANSCEND Defined for Kids

transcend

verb tran·scend \tran-ˈsend\

tran·scend·edtran·scend·ing

Definition of TRANSCEND for Kids

: to rise above the limits of <The music transcends cultural boundaries.>

: to do better or more than <The poem transcended all others in its beauty.>

Word Root of TRANSCEND

The Latin word scandere, meaning “to climb,” gives us the root scend. Words from the Latin scandere have something to do with climbing. To ascend is to climb upward. To descend is to climb downward. To transcend is to rise above or climb over something's limits.

Learn More About TRANSCEND

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "transcend"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "transcend"

Nglish: Translation of "transcend" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "transcend" for Arabic speakers

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