What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Expand vs Exceed - What's the difference?

expand | exceed |

In transitive terms the difference between expand and exceed

is that expand is to express (something) at length and/or in detail while exceed is to go beyond (some limit); to surpass, outstrip or transcend.

In intransitive terms the difference between expand and exceed

is that expand is to feel generous or optimistic while exceed is to predominate.

expand

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • (label) To change (something) from a smaller form and/or size to a larger one.
  • (label) To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).
  • * (John Milton) (1608-1674)
  • Then with expanded wings he steers his flight.
  • (label) To express (something) at length and/or in detail.
  • To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent sum of terms.
  • To multiply both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same natural number yielding a fraction of equal value
  • (label) To (be) change(d) from a smaller form/size to a larger one.
  • (label) To (be) increase(d) in extent, number, volume or scope.
  • (label) To speak or write at length or in detail.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1899, author=(Stephen Crane)
  • , title=, chapter=1 , passage=There was some laughter, and Roddle was left free to expand his ideas on the periodic visits of cowboys to the town. “Mason Rickets, he had ten big punkins a-sittin' in front of his store, an' them fellers from the Upside-down-F ranch shot 'em up […].”}}
  • (label) To feel generous or optimistic.
  • Synonyms

    * open out, spread, spread out, unfold * enlarge * (to express at length or in detail) elaborate (on), expand on

    Antonyms

    * contract * contract * factor

    Derived terms

    * expandable * expander

    exceed

    English

    Alternative forms

    * excede (dated)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To be larger, greater than (something).
  • The company's 2005 revenue exceeds that of 2004.
  • To be better than (something).
  • The quality of her essay has exceeded my expectations.
  • To go beyond (some limit); to surpass, outstrip or transcend.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Name the time, but let it not / Exceed three days.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-01
  • , author=Stephen Ledoux , title=Behaviorism at 100 , volume=100, issue=1, page=60 , magazine= citation , passage=Becoming more aware of the progress that scientists have made on behavioral fronts can reduce the risk that other natural scientists will resort to mystical agential accounts when they exceed the limits of their own disciplinary training.}}
    Your password cannot exceed eight characters.
  • To predominate.
  • (obsolete) To overdo.
  • Synonyms

    * outstep, overstep, surpass

    Antonyms

    According to the Oxford Dictionary website: "There is no established opposite to the word exceed, and it is quite often suggested that one is needed. We are gathering evidence of the word deceed 'be less than', but it has not yet reached our dictionaries." * to fail * to be inferior * to fall short

    Derived terms

    * exceeding * exceedingly

    Anagrams

    *