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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to lay off
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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
Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Another highlight was the ReValue Stock Hub, a platform for companies to market surplus materials while promoting sustainable solutions for excess stock through both physical and digital channels.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
An excess of keratin, a protein found in hair, causes tiny red bumps that look like goosebumps.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Sep. 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
They are overpoured into the same red plastic cups, excess sloshing down to the floor around your clogs.
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Another highlight was the ReValue Stock Hub, a platform for companies to market surplus materials while promoting sustainable solutions for excess stock through both physical and digital channels.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
Some of the material in the disk is absorbed by the star, increasing its mass, but if too much material bunches up in the disk, some of the excess is flung away by tightly wound magnetic fields that beam the material out in two jets along the young star's axis.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
An excess of keratin, a protein found in hair, causes tiny red bumps that look like goosebumps.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excess
Adjective
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Try one of Nour Hammour’s shearling options—the Carolyn is a classic silhouette for the brand—or opt a reversible option from Diane Von Furstenberg or Lafayette 148 for extra warmth and versatility.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
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Similar to an in-office treatment, step one is a trio of extra-strength exfoliating acids (lactic, glycolic, and mandelic), and step two is a clay mask to simultaneously neutralize the acids and deep clean the skin.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The surplus of production has forced local cooperatives to push prices down in order to sell their wines and, as a result, retail prices remain low.—
John Mariani,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Another highlight was the ReValue Stock Hub, a platform for companies to market surplus materials while promoting sustainable solutions for excess stock through both physical and digital channels.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Managers generally lay off workers for objective and subjective reasons, said Alan Guarino, vice chairman of CEO and board services at Korn Ferry.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
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His principal West Coast journalistic rival, the Los Angeles Times has, meanwhile, become a symbol of media fragility, having laid off 74 staffers this year alone.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Beckenbauer’s role, starting as West Germany’s spare defender and then dribbling forward into attack to create chances for teammates, was the key feature of this side.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
-
In addition to the main section of the house, there is also space to put a small office or spare bedroom as well as a bathroom.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Despite regaining their number one world ranking in August, the Spanish federation sacked their women’s team head coach Montse Tomé immediately after the UEFA women’s Euro.—
Asif Burhan,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, Morgan's hopes of pulling off her surprise for Uncle Tommy get sacked.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Control expenses This means trimming or eliminating the costs that don’t directly impact growth, profitability, or long-term sustainability of your business.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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To save money in 2026, MetroConnect will drop some low-ridership zones, trim operating hours and impose a three-mile cap on trips, said Natalia Jaramillo, communications director for Levine Cava.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That deal was struck in lieu of a retaliatory capital tax on foreign investors that was passed in the House version of the bill but was later removed by the Senate.—
Tobias Burns,
The Hill,
18 Sep. 2025
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The latest ruling for Google in the company's antitrust case will likely remove any overhang for Alphabet shares, Piper Sandler wrote Thursday.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The earlier layoff constituted 8% of staff, which will mean Lionsgate will have lightened its head count by 13% when this round of downsizing is done.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
18 Sep. 2025
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Typically, Angels work alone, but when the Christmas Connection Department faces the threat of downsizing, Monica and Michael are unexpectedly paired to ensure Daisy and Patrick fall in love before Christmas.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excess. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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