surplus value
noun
: the difference in Marxist theory between the value of work done or of commodities produced by labor and the usually subsistence wages paid by the employer
Examples of surplus value in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That defensive ability is what really sets Jarvis apart, allowing the Hurricanes to gain more surplus value over a similar scoring forward.
—
Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 29 July 2025
How did the economies of these systems work (when people weren’t being killed or starved to death)?
In Marx’s view of capitalism, the capitalists captured a surplus value created by workers.
—John C. Goodman, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
In other words, the proletariat, employed or otherwise, only increases in number as fewer of its members are necessary for yielding up the surplus value that forms the essence of the system.
—Benjamin Kunkel, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 29 July 2025
How did the economies of these systems work (when people weren’t being killed or starved to death)?
In Marx’s view of capitalism, the capitalists captured a surplus value created by workers.
—John C. Goodman, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
In other words, the proletariat, employed or otherwise, only increases in number as fewer of its members are necessary for yielding up the surplus value that forms the essence of the system.
—Benjamin Kunkel, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surplus value.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surplus%20value. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share