Meaning & use

excel

verb·Academic

To be exceptionally good at or outperform others in a particular activity.

See it in a sentence

She has always excelled at mathematics, often finishing tests well ahead of everyone else.

The young athlete excelled in track and field throughout high school.

A note on using this word

Excel is typically followed by 'at' or 'in,' as in 'excel at chess' or 'excel in science.'

Words with a similar meaning

surpassshineoutperform

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

failflounder

Make it your own

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