different between subdue vs surpass

English

Etymology

From Middle English subdewen, subduen, sodewen, from Old French souduire, from Latin subd?c? (“to draw away”), perhaps influenced by subd? (“to subdue, subject”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /s?b?du/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /s?b?dju?/, /s?b?d?u?/, /s?b-/
• Rhymes: -u?
• Hyphenation: sub?due

Verb

subdue (third-person singular simple present subdues, present participle subduing, simple past and past participle subdued)

1. To overcome, quieten, or bring under control.
2. To bring (a country) under control by force.

Synonyms

• underbring

Related terms

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle French surpasser (“to pass beyond”). Surface etymology is sur- +? pass.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /s??pæs/
• Rhymes: -??s

Verb

surpass (third-person singular simple present surpasses, present participle surpassing, simple past and past participle surpassed)

1. (transitive) To go beyond or exceed (something) in an adjudicative or literal sense.

Synonyms

• (to go beyond): exceed, forpass, transcend; see also Thesaurus:transcend
• (in a metaphoric or technical manner): exceed, excel, outdo, outstrip; see also Thesaurus:exceed

Translations

Further reading

• surpass in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• surpass in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• surpass at OneLook Dictionary Search