What does "transcendent" mean?
That which surpasses or is supereminent; something excellent.
Transcendent
/tɹæn(t)ˈsɛndənt/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: That which surpasses or is supereminent; something excellent.
- Grammar: transcendent is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: a cut above, above, absolute, abstract.
- Useful contrasts: accessible, earthbound spirit, earthbound tale.
- Usage evidence: Often in the darkest of times, artists can be at their most transcendent.
How to use "transcendent"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "transcendent" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "transcendent" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "transcendent" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "transcendent" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "transcendent" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "a cut above" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "transcendent", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 That which surpasses or is supereminent; something excellent.
Adjective
- 1 Surpassing usual limits.
"In sculpture and in the drama, in Aristophanic farce and in hieratic rituals, in pictorial art and in the stream of literature, the phallus is transcendent."
- 2 Supreme in excellence.
"Both stood silent, gazing on each other; Walter was actually lost in admiration of Lady Marchmont's transcendent beauty."
- 3 Beyond the range of usual perception.
- 4 Free from constraints of the material world.
Adjective
- 1 beyond and outside the ordinary range of human experience or understanding wordnet
- 2 exceeding or surpassing usual limits especially in excellence wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Often in the darkest of times, artists can be at their most transcendent."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "transcendent"?
Common synonyms include: a cut above, above, absolute, abstract, accomplished, ahead.
How do you use "transcendent" in a sentence?
Often in the darkest of times, artists can be at their most transcendent.
How do you pronounce "transcendent"?
Pronounced /tɹæn(t)ˈsɛndənt/.
Etymology
From transcend + -ent, or borrowed from Latin trānscendēns.