A content addressable memory (CAM) device (100) may include a number of sub-blocks (102-8 to 102-15) that can generate CAM search results. In a "search beyond" operation, sub-blocks (102-8 to 102-15) may be excluded from a search operation according to criteria, including a sub-block address and a soft-priority value. A CAM device may include a compare circuit (400) that may compare sub-block address values in a time division multiplexed fashion to establish priority from among multiple CAM sub-blocks.