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
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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
ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
Even if there’s no rain in the forecast, excess humidity can prevent proper absorption and alter the stain’s drying process, while low humidity can cause premature drying.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025
EW.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Bowyer describes himself as having grown up being guided by an industrious work ethic and a talent for cutting corners, a kid entranced by the material excess endemic to the region but out of his reach.
—David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 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
The next morning, Dermish noticed new gas flares, presumably lit to release pressure in the pipeline network by burning excess gas.
—ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
Even if there’s no rain in the forecast, excess humidity can prevent proper absorption and alter the stain’s drying process, while low humidity can cause premature drying.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Appropriately for an event dedicated to performativity and pure excess, Gaga was named one of the annual ball's co-chairs.
—EW.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Bowyer describes himself as having grown up being guided by an industrious work ethic and a talent for cutting corners, a kid entranced by the material excess endemic to the region but out of his reach.
—David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excess
Adjective
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That change is expected to cost Kentucky's general fund an extra $50 million in fiscal year 2027 and $66 million in fiscal year 2028, according to a presentation from State Budget Director John Hicks.—
Hannah Pinski,
The Courier-Journal,
3 Sep. 2025
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His work at the clinic earned him the Highest Pro Bono Distinction at graduation, which was awarded for working more than 150 extra pro bono hours above the normal course requirements of the clinic.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
He is credited with the key leadership role in creating Palm Springs’ Measure J, a 1% sales tax increase that helped to fund a $200 million downtown revitalization program and providing a surplus of $12 million per year to rebuild the city’s infrastructure.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
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The bigger risk is OPEC+ deciding to reinstate supply cuts, given concerns about a surplus.—
Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In April, Hammacher Schlemmer laid off nearly a dozen employees, according to John Gagliardi, the company’s creative manager of 18 years, who was let go during the downsizing.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
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Lore and Rodriguez recently laid off dozens of business-side employees, and several high-profile executives left for jobs in other cities and leagues.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Currently available for 27 percent off, the slim bag boasts more than enough space for spare clothes, toiletries, and in-flight essentials thanks to its roomy 31-liter volume.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
-
During the ceremony, Butler’s mother was set up in the spare bedroom, which has a large window and a perfect view of the backyard.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Two days after that, Bayer Leverkusen sacked Erik ten Hag.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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His parting vision of her funeral pyre both recalls and anticipates the devastated city of Carthage, sacked by Rome.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Undeterred, Rodgers connected on a five-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Warren to trim the deficit to 26-24.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
For his efforts, which also included spending more than $7,000 to trim trees and cut down two redwoods and a fir, he was rewarded with a certificate from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety that persuaded his insurer to maintain his coverage.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Following intense backlash from conservatives, the graphic was removed, and the museum issued an apology.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Morgan Pope won the Power of Veto competition this week and removed herself from the block.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This statement comes after about 100 employees, including researchers, were fired from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s violence prevention division in August due to downsizing by HHS — less than two weeks after a shooting attacking the CDC’s headquarters in Atlanta.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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In January 2024, a downsizing Groupon moved to smaller digs downtown, leaving a 300,000-square-foot hole in the onetime nexus of the Chicago tech scene.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excess. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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