transcend
verb
tran·scend
tran(t)-ˈsend 
transcended; transcending; transcends
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
: to rise above or extend notably beyond ordinary limits
Did you know?
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Superman’s persona transcends any one classification.
—
Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2025
Such academic collaborations were not contradictory to the North Korean credo of Juche (self-reliance) but rather a means of furthering the resilience capacity of the country’s ecological system which inherently transcends borders.
—Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
As Bailey crossed home, his oxygen reserves depleted after completing a walk-off, three-run, inside-the-park home run to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-3, the moment transcended into the echelon of unforgettable.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 July 2025
This musical wave may have emerged, however indirectly, from Christian culture, but it’s managed to transcend the awkward resonances of a post-Hillsong Justin Bieber, mid-spiral Kanye West, or the Creed Cruise.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for transcend
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.
Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2025
Such academic collaborations were not contradictory to the North Korean credo of Juche (self-reliance) but rather a means of furthering the resilience capacity of the country’s ecological system which inherently transcends borders.
—Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
As Bailey crossed home, his oxygen reserves depleted after completing a walk-off, three-run, inside-the-park home run to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-3, the moment transcended into the echelon of unforgettable.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 July 2025
This musical wave may have emerged, however indirectly, from Christian culture, but it’s managed to transcend the awkward resonances of a post-Hillsong Justin Bieber, mid-spiral Kanye West, or the Creed Cruise.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for transcend
Cite this Entry
“Transcend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transcend. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
transcend
verb
tran·scend
tran(t)s-ˈend
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share