Synonym Chooser

How is the word inordinate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of inordinate are excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, and immoderate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

When is excessive a more appropriate choice than inordinate?

The words excessive and inordinate can be used in similar contexts, but excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

When could exorbitant be used to replace inordinate?

The words exorbitant and inordinate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

When can extravagant be used instead of inordinate?

The meanings of extravagant and inordinate largely overlap; however, extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

Where would extreme be a reasonable alternative to inordinate?

Although the words extreme and inordinate have much in common, extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

When is it sensible to use immoderate instead of inordinate?

The synonyms immoderate and inordinate are sometimes interchangeable, but immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

Examples of inordinate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In reality, the minors did not receive an education from an accredited and licensed school but instead worked inordinate hours for UNOI's financial benefit, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 18 Sep. 2024 The pacing is wonky, with the set-up taking an inordinate amount of time while the actual conflict between Joe and the assassins gets rushed through at dizzying speeds. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024 With only one kicker in camp, the 49ers haven’t spent an inordinate amount of time on field goal attempts, with Moody also working on keeping kickoffs away from return specialists as much as possible as the 49ers adjust to the new rules. Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 31 July 2024 In the second episode, the veep team spends an inordinate amount of time brainstorming what flavor Meyer should get during a photo-op at the local froyo shop. Whizy Kim, Vox, 23 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for inordinate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inordinate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Cite this Entry

“Inordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inordinate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on inordinate

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