1
2
as in defect
something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing
local residents regard the hulking apartment building as a hideous excrescence on their once-lovely street
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 excrescence
It was argued that the condition of Russia was a special one; that, elsewhere, the problem was rather one of dealing with the excrescences of the capitalist system than with capitalism itself.
—
Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
But if the art market seems like an excrescence on a more limited and refined definition of the art world — focused on art, artists, museums, nonprofit arts organizations and the passion of art lovers and connoisseurs — then Sotheby’s capture of the building is impossible to celebrate.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 6 June 2023
One suspects that that weird brown hair-excrescence thing had something to do with it.
—Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 15 Jan. 2021
Each generation sees the technological advances of the previous era—no matter how near—as excrescences of an ancient world.
—Maël Renouard, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2020
His nationalism, in expression hyperbolic enough, essentially takes the form of virulent tropes of anti-socialism, anti-feminism and homophobia, excrescences alien to the Brazilian soul.
—Will Meyer, Longreads, 4 Oct. 2019
This concrete excrescence, remnant of a barbaric plan to encase the city in freeways, isn’t necessary and could be scrubbed off the landscape with a little bit of enlightened leadership.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2019
Various external forces coincided to make Kuma’s flirtation with monumental excrescences an abortive one.
—Nikil Saval, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2018
His evidence comes not only from obscure and difficult literary testimonia but from tree rings, ice cores and speleothems (excrescences found in caves from which ancient humidity levels can be deduced).
—James Romm, WSJ, 27 Oct. 2017
Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
But if the art market seems like an excrescence on a more limited and refined definition of the art world — focused on art, artists, museums, nonprofit arts organizations and the passion of art lovers and connoisseurs — then Sotheby’s capture of the building is impossible to celebrate.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 6 June 2023
One suspects that that weird brown hair-excrescence thing had something to do with it.
—Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 15 Jan. 2021
Each generation sees the technological advances of the previous era—no matter how near—as excrescences of an ancient world.
—Maël Renouard, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2020
His nationalism, in expression hyperbolic enough, essentially takes the form of virulent tropes of anti-socialism, anti-feminism and homophobia, excrescences alien to the Brazilian soul.
—Will Meyer, Longreads, 4 Oct. 2019
This concrete excrescence, remnant of a barbaric plan to encase the city in freeways, isn’t necessary and could be scrubbed off the landscape with a little bit of enlightened leadership.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2019
Various external forces coincided to make Kuma’s flirtation with monumental excrescences an abortive one.
—Nikil Saval, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2018
His evidence comes not only from obscure and difficult literary testimonia but from tree rings, ice cores and speleothems (excrescences found in caves from which ancient humidity levels can be deduced).
—James Romm, WSJ, 27 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excrescence
Noun
-
Her doctor was able to treat the infection with antibiotics, but sent the placenta for testing, which is when the tumor was found.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
15 May 2025
-
Ellis took just one or two classes each semester and faced several setbacks, including a 10-pound tumor on her kidney that required surgery.—
Stephanie Gallman Jordan,
Southern Living,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
Isaac soon betrays and murders the soldiers, including Peck's character, and defects to the Washington Liberation Front.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
6 May 2025
-
In the new suit, lawyers for the board presented a detailed explanation of defects in the tower that emerged from the start.—
Dionne Searcey,
New York Times,
4 May 2025
Noun
-
Just a few months earlier, in November 2023, her fiancé (then boyfriend) discovered a blueberry-sized lump in her left breast.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
15 May 2025
-
Hemorrhoids appear as hard lumps and may cause pain, itching, and bleeding.—
Sarah Hudgens,
Health,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
This fungal disease causes yellow blotches on pumpkins, tomato leaves, squash and cucumbers.—
Clarence Schmidt,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The butterflies themselves are nearly gone, but the ink has left three blotches down her arm.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Shaved her head, grappled with surgery scars and bald spots.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
-
Overall rejuvenation is the goal, with issues like fine lines, early-stage sagging, large pores or acne scars being targeted.—
Perrie Samotin,
Glamour,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
However, the council continued to deny any connection between the waste removal and the limb deformities, according to The Guardian.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The article had uncovered four instances of limb deformities, and 19 families ended up signing onto the class action suit.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
TIME,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excrescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excrescence. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share