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
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
Emily Teel, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2026
Transfer to a freezer bag, remove excess air, seal, and refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 24 hours.
—Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 9 June 2026
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
Alongside Bret is his elite social circle, which includes Susan Reynolds (Kaia Gerber), Debbie Schaffer (Hayes Warner) and Thom Wright (Graham Campbell), a glamorous and deeply entangled group drawn into a life of wealth, beauty, parties and excess.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 10 June 2026
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
Adjective
Drain and discard marinade from chicken; gently shake excess marinade off chicken.
—Emily Teel, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2026
Transfer to a freezer bag, remove excess air, seal, and refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 24 hours.
—Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 9 June 2026
Noun
The suit seeks damages in excess of $75,000 under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
Alongside Bret is his elite social circle, which includes Susan Reynolds (Kaia Gerber), Debbie Schaffer (Hayes Warner) and Thom Wright (Graham Campbell), a glamorous and deeply entangled group drawn into a life of wealth, beauty, parties and excess.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 10 June 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
Adjective
-
The Statesman reported last December that Boise police provided extra security to Mayor Lauren McLean after Fitzpatrick offered a minimum $10,000 reward for information that could lead to her arrest and conviction — for unidentified crimes.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
-
Even with all those extra teams – there’s 48 in this year’s tournament, up 16 from recent editions – there will still be the surprises and upsets that make every World Cup special.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
When the state's income tax refund fund carries a surplus of $150 million or more, money over that amount will be directed to pensions.—
Ben Szalinski,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
-
From thematic artwork to a surplus of shiplap, many beach homes have rather predictable appearances.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Vogue,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
As artificial intelligence increasingly replaces workers, a bill in the Connecticut legislature aims to tax businesses that lay off employees due to technology in order to fund retraining programs, and reward companies that increase productivity but maintain their workforce.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The City Council could increase parking fees, eliminate vacant positions and lay off employees in other departments while seeking to balance its finances ahead of adopting the budget in June.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The menu offers many of the original’s most famous dishes, like the beloved lobster pancakes and lamb spare ribs.—
Connie Ogle
June 11,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
-
These were spare ribs, which are tougher.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Renard, 57, has been out of management since being sacked by Saudi Arabia in April, bringing his second stint with the national team to an end.—
Sam Joseph,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Greek coach Georgios Donis was appointed just two months ago after Saudi Arabia sacked former coach Hervé Renard.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The findings come as companies ramp up AI investments while trimming their workforces, fueling concern across demographics.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
11 June 2026
-
The Spurs outlasted New York 115-111 in Game 3, trimming the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1 entering Wednesday’s Game 4.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
If that happens, remove the safety clip, hold the can with both hands, and prepare to spray when the bear is roughly 30 to 40 feet away.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
-
For that matter, Spencer Schwellenbach’s rehabilitation from surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow will be closer to completion.—
Ken Sugiura,
AJC.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
That means that some offices could have to downsize, others could be converted to apartments and others replaced by buildings that more readily serve the needs of a changing downtown.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
-
Most of the questioning from Democrats focused on staffing levels at the agency, which saw thousands of workers axed as part of the Department of Government Efficiency‘s efforts to downsize the federal government.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excess. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
