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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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
  • Substitute Facundo Medina was in no rush to take a throw-in during extra time (as is his want), despite Yamal giving him some encouragement.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Despite playing with 10 men for the final few minutes of injury time and all of extra-time, the Albiceleste put up a good fight, almost enough to take the match to what would have been a coinflip penalty shootout.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of extra
Noun
  • As Italy’s longest river, the Po delivers plenty of nutrients to the lagoons — both from natural sources and from human activities like farming — that provide a surplus of food for sea critters, including blue crabs.
    — Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Lamont’s chief fiscal focus since 2020 has been on channeling $11 billion in surpluses — forced by aggressive savings rules — to whittle down a hefty pension debt created over seven decades prior to 2011.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 17 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
  • For a retiree sharing a spare room or a parent listing their college student’s bedroom, hosting can mean the difference between staying in their home and losing it.
    — Nathan Blecharczyk, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
  • Swatch said the gold used for the watches dates back to the same period and is derived from old Omega spare parts.
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 17 July 2026
Definition of spare
Noun
  • In Citrus County, where a small town was slated to play host to Florida’s first hyperscale data center, opponents of the project packed the commission and exceeded its overflow room, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
    — Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • The mansion itself was originally constructed in 1640 to accommodate the overflow of guests to their hunting parties; the porticos on the eastern and westerly wings were once stable doors.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 July 2026
Definition of overflow
Verb
  • Luis Enrique had been sacked after crashing out in the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • But Nix has only been sacked 46 times in his career, compared to Herbert’s 95 and Mahomes’ 70 over the same stretch.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 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

Browse Nearby Words

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 21 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of excess for Spanish Speakers

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