Antonyms for excel


Grammar : Verb
Spell : ik-sel
Phonetic Transcription : ɪkˈsɛl


Definition of excel

Origin :
  • c.1400, from Latin excellere "to rise, surpass, be eminent," from ex- "out from" (see ex-) + -cellere "rise high, tower," related to celsus "high, lofty, great," from PIE root *kel- "to rise, be elevated" (see hill). Related: Excelled; excelling.
  • verb be superior; surpass
Example sentences :
  • But, in spite of these ordinary defects, he was fond of his work and wishful to excel in it.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • All his promotion had come from trying to excel in his routine work.
  • Extract from : « Heroes of the Telegraph » by J. Munro
  • That is, he could work wonders like the fairies and excel the doctors in curing diseases.
  • Extract from : « Welsh Fairy Tales » by William Elliott Griffis
  • They do not hope to excel the Greeks, but are content to remain their pupils.
  • Extract from : « Introductory American History » by Henry Eldridge Bourne
  • Thus is excited among those so brought together a spirit of competition, and a desire in their turn to excel.
  • Extract from : « Address delivered by Hon. Henry H. Crapo, Governor of Michigan, before the Central Michigan Agricultural Society, at their Sheep-shearing Exhibition held at the Agricultural College Farm, on Thursday, May 24th, 1866 » by Henry Howland Crapo
  • It was neither warrior, nor lover, nor god; in none of these roles do the English excel.
  • Extract from : « Howards End » by E. M. Forster
  • And what is it in which you desire to excel, Euthydemus, that you collect books?
  • Extract from : « The Memorabilia » by Xenophon
  • In preparation for, and during, a battle, none can excel him.
  • Extract from : « Three Years in the Federal Cavalry » by Willard Glazier
  • During the last 25 years, we have found nothing to excel them.
  • Extract from : « Treatise on the Diseases of Women » by Lydia E. Pinkham
  • They want to please and to excel, and to number you among their patrons for the future.
  • Extract from : « Tales of Fishes » by Zane Grey

Synonyms for excel

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019