transcend

/tɹæn(t)ˈsɛnd/

Group 26Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(verb)
To be or go beyond the range or limits of; to surpass
GRE

Example in Context

The composer's music transcended the boundaries of genre, appealing equally to fans of classical, jazz, and popular music.

Synonyms

go beyondsurpassexceed

Etymology

From Latin meaning to climb across, suggesting surpassing limits.

  • trans- (Latin) — across
  • scandere (Latin) — to climb

Memory Aid

🚂Sounds like “train send

Picture a train that sends itself soaring over mountains — it TRANSCENDS all obstacles!

Visual Association

🏔️A train flying majestically above a mountain range, symbolizing surpassing boundaries.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “transcend” mean on the GRE?

transcend (verb) means “To be or go beyond the range or limits of; to surpass”. The composer's music transcended the boundaries of genre, appealing equally to fans of classical, jazz, and popular music.

How to remember “transcend” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “transcend” sounds like “train send”. Picture a train that sends itself soaring over mountains — it TRANSCENDS all obstacles!

What are synonyms for “transcend”?

Common synonyms: go beyond, surpass, exceed.