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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
-
Denver selected Harvey after twice trading back in the second round, acquiring an extra fourth-round selection in the process.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
For extra protection, Nelson suggests changing clothes immediately after returning home.—
Katelyn Squiers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The surplus with the U.S. ballooned to 9 trillion yen ($63 billion).—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Gabriel, with hamstring surgery behind him, knocked about like a spare part, too.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Redundancy uses spare devices and links, activating backups after a failover, leading to brief disruptions as connections drop before standbys take over.—
Apeksha Jain,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The system favoured by the new Coach appears to have no space for the Brazil native, who has played just four minutes since Thiago Motta was sacked.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
The vast majority are unceremoniously sacked after losing their grip.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
But DeShields has struggled to find consistent minutes since undergoing spinal surgery to remove a tumor in 2019, then suffering a knee injury that sidelined her for the entire 2023 season.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Speaking from Macomb Community College in Warren, just outside Detroit, Trump is expected to highlight what the White House calls major achievements in immigration enforcement, government downsizing, and trade reform.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
-
In a lawsuit filed late Monday, the plaintiffs charge that actions taken by the president, Elon Musk and the heads of nearly two dozen federal agencies to dramatically downsize the federal workforce violate the Constitution because Congress has not authorized them.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excess. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share