as in extra
being over what is needed
any excess food from the party will be donated to a shelter for the homeless
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in surplus
the state or an instance of going beyond what is usual, proper, or needed
a new television season with an excess of sitcoms featuring wisecracking teenagers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excessiveness
a propensity for extremes in one's actions, beliefs, or habits
the wretched excess that is so often found in the world of show business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to lay off
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of excess
Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 17 July 2023
That suggests existing protections won’t have much force until the state extends its new worker-misclassification law (which cracks down on employers who rely to excess on gig workers) to temporary employees.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 22 Sep. 2021
Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Diuretics primarily work by removing excess fluid and salt from the body by increasing urine production.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
In fact, the program is so handsomely made that its genre excesses nearly vanish, hiding behind peat fires or in the folds of a kilt.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excess
Adjective
Over the past few months, my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 17 July 2023
That suggests existing protections won’t have much force until the state extends its new worker-misclassification law (which cracks down on employers who rely to excess on gig workers) to temporary employees.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 22 Sep. 2021
Noun
Each pot features a drainage hole and saucer that will collect excess water, which ensures effective water control without any mess.
—Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Diuretics primarily work by removing excess fluid and salt from the body by increasing urine production.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
Gilbert began working as a journalist, and quickly established herself as a student of masculinity who had an excess of feminine charm.
—Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
In fact, the program is so handsomely made that its genre excesses nearly vanish, hiding behind peat fires or in the folds of a kilt.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excess
Adjective
-
That change is expected to cost Kentucky's general fund an extra $50 million in fiscal year 2027 and $66 million in fiscal year 2028, according to a presentation from State Budget Director John Hicks.—
Hannah Pinski,
The Courier-Journal,
3 Sep. 2025
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His work at the clinic earned him the Highest Pro Bono Distinction at graduation, which was awarded for working more than 150 extra pro bono hours above the normal course requirements of the clinic.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
He is credited with the key leadership role in creating Palm Springs’ Measure J, a 1% sales tax increase that helped to fund a $200 million downtown revitalization program and providing a surplus of $12 million per year to rebuild the city’s infrastructure.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
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The bigger risk is OPEC+ deciding to reinstate supply cuts, given concerns about a surplus.—
Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In April, Hammacher Schlemmer laid off nearly a dozen employees, according to John Gagliardi, the company’s creative manager of 18 years, who was let go during the downsizing.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Lore and Rodriguez recently laid off dozens of business-side employees, and several high-profile executives left for jobs in other cities and leagues.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Everyone has ten spare seconds before leaving.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Harrison’s spare, witty script invites audiences to reflect on the ways one preserve legacies and confronts loss.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Two days after that, Bayer Leverkusen sacked Erik ten Hag.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
His parting vision of her funeral pyre both recalls and anticipates the devastated city of Carthage, sacked by Rome.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Packer ham has some of the bottom trimmed for easier shipping and a higher percentage of center cuts slices.—
Andy Humbles,
The Tennessean,
30 Aug. 2025
-
For example, sit-ups to remove belly fat, or leg exercises to trim the thighs.—
Bryant Stamford,
The Courier-Journal,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Following intense backlash from conservatives, the graphic was removed, and the museum issued an apology.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Morgan Pope won the Power of Veto competition this week and removed herself from the block.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This statement comes after about 100 employees, including researchers, were fired from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s violence prevention division in August due to downsizing by HHS — less than two weeks after a shooting attacking the CDC’s headquarters in Atlanta.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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In January 2024, a downsizing Groupon moved to smaller digs downtown, leaving a 300,000-square-foot hole in the onetime nexus of the Chicago tech scene.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excess. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
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