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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to lay off
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of excess
Malia Griggs, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
The excess inventory was ultimately returned and 10 cases of about 40,000 cards ended up sealed in a Mexican factory until they were rescued by card dealer Jim Ragsdale, a vintage football specialist and, according to Cintura, the set’s biggest advocate.
—Michael Salfino, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2025
At the same time, China was being ravaged at home by the excesses of the Cultural Revolution.
—Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2025
Allison Stewart, chicagotribune.com, 11 July 2019
Meacham is a nonideological historian and McGraw is a country star, two professions that were built for caution, something McGraw occasionally takes to excess.
—Allison Stewart, chicagotribune.com, 11 July 2019
See All Example Sentences for excess
Adjective
These cheeky briefs are crafted from a quick-drying fabric that soaks up excess moisture.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
The excess inventory was ultimately returned and 10 cases of about 40,000 cards ended up sealed in a Mexican factory until they were rescued by card dealer Jim Ragsdale, a vintage football specialist and, according to Cintura, the set’s biggest advocate.
—Michael Salfino, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
Both Andrews and Willis agree that for all the trials along the way, there has been an excess of gestures, big and small, of support and camaraderie.
—Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2025
At the same time, China was being ravaged at home by the excesses of the Cultural Revolution.
—Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
Meacham is a nonideological historian and McGraw is a country star, two professions that were built for caution, something McGraw occasionally takes to excess.
—Allison Stewart, chicagotribune.com, 11 July 2019
Meacham is a nonideological historian and McGraw is a country star, two professions that were built for caution, something McGraw occasionally takes to excess.
—Allison Stewart, chicagotribune.com, 11 July 2019
See All Example Sentences for excess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excess
Adjective
-
The wooden frame and metal bracket legs provide stability, while tall arms and reversible cushions surround you for extra comfort and support.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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The light and fluffy casserole packed with cheese, onion, and saltines too, is a great way to sneak in some extra veggies.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The surplus with the U.S. ballooned to 9 trillion yen ($63 billion).—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
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Managing surplus energy for local businesses and municipalities In most data centers, servers are air-cooled.—
Erik Kobayashi-Solomon,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In September 2024, Kerry was laid off from his job, causing the couple to reevaluate their roles around the house.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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Thousands of federal workers have been laid off or issued immediate termination notifications as part of Trump and Musk’s plan to downsize the government.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The figure is roughly life-size, rendered in spare, firm strokes of black acrylic applied with Japanese brushes to sizable sheets of paper.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
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With his spare cash, Younge began acquiring instruments — a Fender Rhodes piano, a bass guitar, drum set, guitar — and teaching himself to use them by copying the riffs sampled in his favorite songs.—
Todd Gilchrist,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The city was sacked again — this time by the Turks — and incorporated into the Ottoman Empire.—
Danuta Hamlin,
FOXNews.com,
13 Apr. 2025
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At the crossroads of Roman roads in ancient Gaul, Cassel was sacked by the Vikings in the late 9th century, and later became a 17th-century war prize fought over by France and Spain.—
Mary Winston Nicklin,
AFAR Media,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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With trade tensions spooking price-sensitive consumers and high-flying decision-makers within their ranks, airlines are trimming costs, capacity, and expectations — all while hoping for smoother skies ahead.—
Catherine Baab,
Quartz,
24 Apr. 2025
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Bank of America did trim its forecast to $21 from $22, though that is still roughly 53% above Wednesday’s close.—
Brian Evans,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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He's promised to remove taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security, and continue tax cuts that primarily benefited the wealthy, passed during his first term.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2025
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The Defense Department at one point temporarily removed training videos recognizing the Tuskegee Airmen and an online biography of Jackie Robinson.—
Michael Casey,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The move is the Trump administration's latest to downsize and overhaul the federal government.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2025
-
President Trump’s administration is cutting nearly 90 percent of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) employees in a push to significantly downsize the watchdog agency formed to shield U.S. consumers from financial fraud and abuse.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excess. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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