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transcend Definition

tran·scend (tran send′)

transitive verb

  1. to go beyond the limits of; overstep; exceed a story that transcends belief
  2. to be superior to; surpass; excel
  3. Philos., Theol. to be separate from or beyond (experience, the material universe, etc.)

Etymology: ME transcenden < L transcendere, to climb over < trans-, over + scandere, to climb: see descend

intransitive verb

to be transcendent; excel

transcend Synonyms

transcend

v.

rise above, transform, excel; see exceed. See syn. study at excel.

transcend Usage Examples

Object

  • boundary: The humanist allegiance in these poems transcends national boundaries.
  • limitation: Music is a form of communication which, at its best, transcends the limitations of language in unifying the people.
  • duality: For this reason, language can no more transcend duality than paintings or photographs upon a flat surface can go beyond two dimensions.
  • dualism: Lately a number of researchers have suggested approaches which help to transcend such dualism.
  • barrier: To me music is perhaps the greatest religion, transcending all barriers of language, color or creed.
  • genre: Her angelic vocals transcend musical genres, giving her fans from all sides of the music spectrum.

Noun phrase with adjective complement

  • such: Cornelius Cardew always had a love for the collective that transcended individual concerns such as career or fame.

Used with why or when

  • what: Objects are much more important than language in absurd theater: what happens transcends what is being said about it.

Adjective complement

  • employer-based: Is with coming held this same quot transcending employer-based he will leave.
  • social: Unity in Christ totally transcends social, ethnic and gender distinctions.
  • simple: Using archive footage and photographs, the film is quite successful in transcending simple talking heads.

Modifying Another Word

  • somehow: I love it when that happens - the music somehow transcends the aural and manages to connect directly to your emotions.
  • thereby: I hope you can create something good out of something bad, and thereby transcend and transform it.
  • far: Yet Scorpio is a truly mystical sign and can transcend far beyond the physical realm to depths often left wanting in others.
  • totally: Unity in Christ totally transcends social, ethnic and gender distinctions.
  • thus: I use the means of painting on canvas to transcend the medium to create a vehicle, thus transcend my reality into physical.
  • truly: The horizon of self-transcendence no longer lies in that which truly transcends the subject, but is within the boundary of consciousness.
transcend Quotes

I write poems, have always written them, to transcend the painfully personal and reach the universal.

—Sarton, May