excess 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of excessnext
as in extra
being over what is needed any excess food from the party will be donated to a shelter for the homeless

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

excess

2 of 3

noun

ik-ˈses How to pronounce excess (audio)
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

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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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excess

3 of 3

verb

as in to lay off

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of excess
Adjective
The excess deaths occurred as a result of heat waves in May and June, according to researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Imperial College London and the Met Office. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 13 July 2026 But there are limited exceptions, including certain rollovers, distributions upon death and for excess contributions, according to the IRS. — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 11 July 2026
Noun
It could be read, for example, to outlaw an excess of sugary snacks during a bike race. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 But in the past 20 years, Cuba’s more progressive social policies have helped to redeem the authoritarian excesses of the revolution’s early years. — Juan Carlos Albarran, The Conversation, 13 July 2026
Verb
Over the past few months my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening. — Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2023 You’ve been quoted as saying that that is really what the film is about — not so much drinking to excess as embracing the uncontrollable. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2021 See All Example Sentences for excess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excess
  1. extra
  2. surplus
  3. excessiveness
  4. lay off
  5. spare
  6. overflow
  7. sack
  8. abundance
Adjective
  • That kind of granular information is important for emergency responders in the field and planners who make decisions about calling for extra help or ordering evacuations.
    — Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Each extra year of training, for example, translates to $143,000 in additional annual income.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of extra
Noun
  • The false surplus sparked a sharp increase in spending that has outstripped revenues ever since.
    — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
  • The investment is part of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $45 million allocation of tax increment financing surplus to the Park District this year.
    — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
Definition of surplus
Noun
  • This excessiveness can hinder critical knowledge building because of the sheer amount of information that can be accessed simultaneously at any time.
    — Carmen Daniela Maier, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Definition of excessiveness
Verb
  • Corporations lay off workers en masse in hopes of replicating their labor with LLMs.
    — Matthew Ismael Ruiz, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026
  • For Ali, a Tehrani technician who had to lay off his half a dozen workers, the economic situation isn’t theoretical.
    — Kay Armin Serjoie, Time, 17 June 2026
Definition of lay off
Adjective
  • Morocco consistently found the spare man when working the ball across the pitch.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • The kit also comes with thoughtful extras, including a spare bulb, cable ties, a spring clip, and a solar panel for breezy installation.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2026
Definition of spare
Noun
  • Additional people were instructed to watch from overflow seating rooms elsewhere in the courthouse.
    — Gary Grumbach, NBC news, 9 July 2026
  • Haverhill installed a second bypass line to help better control the flow of sewage after two breaks and a massive sewage overflow for five days last week, helping secure the system as more rains threatened the temporary bypass Tuesday.
    — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026
Definition of overflow
Verb
  • At Universal Studios’ CityWalk, the original from the film — last seen on screen in flames as Troy was brutally sacked by Damon’s army of rampaging Greeks — is on display outside the AMC Universal Cinema.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 13 July 2026
  • This time last year, the 52-year-old was sacked as Red Bull’s team principal after 20 years.
    — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of sack
Noun
  • Because of climate, weather, acorn abundance (yes, really) and decisions about land use dating to colonial times, the bugs are indeed getting worse.
    — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • There were only a handful of inaugural outings this time round, but sophomore shows from those appointed last season brought plenty of ideas to the fore, including an abundance of ready-to-wear and bag trends.
    — Alice Cary, Vogue, 13 July 2026
Definition of abundance

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excerpts
excess
excessed
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Cite this Entry

“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excess. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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