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
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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
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2025
Also in the package, which was negotiated behind closed doors during the final days of the 9-month legislative session, were deals to replenish the state wildfire fund and create a regional electric grid for western states to trade excess energy.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
An excess of keratin, a protein found in hair, causes tiny red bumps that look like goosebumps.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Sep. 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
Train yourself to look for growth that should be removed, such as tomato suckers and low-growing tomato branches, excess dahlia foliage, and tangled thyme.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2025
Also in the package, which was negotiated behind closed doors during the final days of the 9-month legislative session, were deals to replenish the state wildfire fund and create a regional electric grid for western states to trade excess energy.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Some of the material in the disk is absorbed by the star, increasing its mass, but if too much material bunches up in the disk, some of the excess is flung away by tightly wound magnetic fields that beam the material out in two jets along the young star's axis.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
An excess of keratin, a protein found in hair, causes tiny red bumps that look like goosebumps.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excess
Adjective
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Try one of Nour Hammour’s shearling options—the Carolyn is a classic silhouette for the brand—or opt a reversible option from Diane Von Furstenberg or Lafayette 148 for extra warmth and versatility.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
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Similar to an in-office treatment, step one is a trio of extra-strength exfoliating acids (lactic, glycolic, and mandelic), and step two is a clay mask to simultaneously neutralize the acids and deep clean the skin.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Abiy has said the dam will improve access to electricity for the almost half the population who had none as recently as 2022, and export the surplus to the region.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
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There is even a world in which Winnipeg’s best play is to forget about its surplus of veteran defencemen, giving Salomonsson third-pairing minutes as soon as this season.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When those dollars disappear, organizations must decide whether to cut programs, lay off staff, or close.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Beckenbauer’s role, starting as West Germany’s spare defender and then dribbling forward into attack to create chances for teammates, was the key feature of this side.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
-
In addition to the main section of the house, there is also space to put a small office or spare bedroom as well as a bathroom.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Beyond the considerable issue of adequately defending the potent Eagles offense, the Chiefs most obviously will seek to better protect Mahomes — who was sacked six times and pressured 16 times without the Eagles blitzing once.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
11 Sep. 2025
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He's also been sacked three times (3) while rushing for a total of negative-three yards on 13 carries (including sacks).—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Control expenses This means trimming or eliminating the costs that don’t directly impact growth, profitability, or long-term sustainability of your business.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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To save money in 2026, MetroConnect will drop some low-ridership zones, trim operating hours and impose a three-mile cap on trips, said Natalia Jaramillo, communications director for Levine Cava.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By removing color, the focus shifts to texture, light, gesture, and gaze — emphasizing the nuances of connection and the multiplicity of what love can look like beyond normative, romanticized ideals.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
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Social media platforms, including YouTube and X, have begun removing videos of the attack.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Toths had a five-year plan to downsize.—
Joyce Cohen,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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View gallery - 10 images For those looking to dramatically downsize on both space and budget, Dragon Tiny Homes' new Sora may fit the bill.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excess. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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