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2
as in defect
something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing
local residents regard the hulking apartment building as a hideous excrescence on their once-lovely street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of excrescence
But if the art market seems like an excrescence on a more limited and refined definition of the art world — focused on art, artists, museums, nonprofit arts organizations and the passion of art lovers and connoisseurs — then Sotheby’s capture of the building is impossible to celebrate.
—
Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 6 June 2023
One suspects that that weird brown hair-excrescence thing had something to do with it.
—Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 15 Jan. 2021
Each generation sees the technological advances of the previous era—no matter how near—as excrescences of an ancient world.
—Maël Renouard, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2020
His nationalism, in expression hyperbolic enough, essentially takes the form of virulent tropes of anti-socialism, anti-feminism and homophobia, excrescences alien to the Brazilian soul.
—Will Meyer, Longreads, 4 Oct. 2019
Various external forces coincided to make Kuma’s flirtation with monumental excrescences an abortive one.
—Nikil Saval, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2018
His evidence comes not only from obscure and difficult literary testimonia but from tree rings, ice cores and speleothems (excrescences found in caves from which ancient humidity levels can be deduced).
—James Romm, WSJ, 27 Oct. 2017
It was argued that the condition of Russia was a special one; that, elsewhere, the problem was rather one of dealing with the excrescences of the capitalist system than with capitalism itself.
—Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 6 June 2023
One suspects that that weird brown hair-excrescence thing had something to do with it.
—Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 15 Jan. 2021
Each generation sees the technological advances of the previous era—no matter how near—as excrescences of an ancient world.
—Maël Renouard, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2020
His nationalism, in expression hyperbolic enough, essentially takes the form of virulent tropes of anti-socialism, anti-feminism and homophobia, excrescences alien to the Brazilian soul.
—Will Meyer, Longreads, 4 Oct. 2019
Various external forces coincided to make Kuma’s flirtation with monumental excrescences an abortive one.
—Nikil Saval, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2018
His evidence comes not only from obscure and difficult literary testimonia but from tree rings, ice cores and speleothems (excrescences found in caves from which ancient humidity levels can be deduced).
—James Romm, WSJ, 27 Oct. 2017
It was argued that the condition of Russia was a special one; that, elsewhere, the problem was rather one of dealing with the excrescences of the capitalist system than with capitalism itself.
—Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excrescence
Noun
-
The patient received chemotherapy, and for several months the tumors in her pancreas and her liver shrank.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
And although the treatments were proving successful, the toddler would ultimately need a liver transplant due to the location of the tumor in his liver.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Fish embryos that grow in the presence of oil may be born with heart defects, as well as spine and skull deformities.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Thus, with structural concerns emerging locally, Central Florida residents are left with questions about building safety, oversight, and construction defects.—
Keegan A. Berry,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Despite advances in breast imaging, breast biopsy remains the only definitive method to determine whether a suspicious lump is cancerous.—
Quing Zhu,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a medium bowl; discard any lumps.—
Erin Merhar,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The eggs vary in color—from white to blue to brown—with speckles, blotches, and other markings and are also distinctive in shape.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Early salt damage often appears as pale, chalky blotches or uneven fading in the paint finish.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These dances came at a time in Germany when artists were wrestling with the scars of World War I and the intensification of the developing industrial economy.—
Shanti Escalante-De Mattei,
ARTnews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Post-accident, Varren still sports a forehead scar and continues to ride his e-bike in his Miramar neighborhood with friends.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Fish embryos that grow in the presence of oil may be born with heart defects, as well as spine and skull deformities.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Born with a club foot and a deformity to his right ear, Meyers — who also contracted polio as a child — found solace in music.—
Hector Saldana,
San Antonio Express-News,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Excrescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excrescence. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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