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Word of the Day

June 12, 2025

Transcendent

Exceeding usual limits; surpassing; extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience. Also: being beyond comprehension, or universally applicable or significant.

From Latin 'transcendens,' present participle of 'transcendere,' meaning to climb across or surpass, from 'trans-' (across) and 'scandere' (to climb).

Usage Examples

  1. The vision of our Declaration of Independence, that all men are created equal with rights from God of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, is transcendent.
  2. The constitutional principles of individual sovereignty and limited government represent transcendent ideals that endure across centuries.
  3. A transcendent commitment to truth and accountability is essential for maintaining free and fair elections in a republic.

From the Show

Kim Monson chose “transcendent” to frame the June 12th broadcast’s overarching themes, connecting the word to the Declaration of Independence’s enduring vision of God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.