Definition of TRANSCENDS
- ️Mon Mar 10 2025
1
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)
2
: to outstrip or outdo in some attribute, quality, or power
Did you know?
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.
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for transcend
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.
outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.
outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.
outstripped other firms in sales
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Role Of The CFO In the U.S. franchise business model, the CFO’s role transcends traditional financial management.
—
David Earl, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The story transcends beyond its cultural attachment to Zambia.
—Elissa Suh, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
John Cena’s heel turn at WWE’s Elimination Chamber transcended the world of sports entertainment.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2025
The threat of a private company accessing government data transcends individual privacy concerns.
—Allison Stanger, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for transcend
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin transcendere to climb across, transcend, from trans- + scandere to climb — more at scan
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of transcend was in the 14th century
Browse Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
“Transcend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transcend. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
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Last Updated: 10 Mar 2025 - Updated example sentences
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