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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
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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
-
The company also has a few other pre-clinical mRNA therapies in its pipeline, including one that gets infused through a patient’s bloodstream rather than injected into a tumor.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The conversations first began a few weeks ago when Sanders held a press conference to reveal the cancerous tumor in his bladder and that it had been removed.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Think of it as smarter tools for everyday problems: • Quality Inspections: Instead of relying on tired eyes and manual checklists, manufacturers are using AI to flag defects in real time.—
Bill Rokos,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
By contrast, one of the most robust studies on SSRI use in pregnancy found no significant increase in congenital heart defects or most other major malformations when SSRIs were used in the first trimester, adds Dr. Batista.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
One day while exercising, a healthy 59-year-old semi-retiree felt a lump in his abdomen.—
Steve Vernon,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Deep hemangioma: With a blue or purple color, this type feels like a deep lump and may be painful.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Its back has orange and gray markings with a scattering of darker brown blotches.—
Aspen Pflughoeft
Updated July 9,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
-
The baby was purple-gray-colored, in blotches; wet, smeared in blood and what looked like whitish wax.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 July 2025
Noun
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The Elbe is a living laboratory, where old scars have become the fertile ground for a new, vibrant ecosystem.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
-
And based on the dog's scars, the foster mother believes she had also been abused, leading Meadow to be hesitant about humans.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Scarring or deformity: Scar tissue can form as ear piercings heal, which can cause permanent scarring or changes to the ear’s shape.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
22 Apr. 2025
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Doing so may also reduce the risk of foot deformities and walking disabilities.11 Meanwhile, having foot problems can significantly affect your quality of life, particularly for women.12 Diseases can also affect shoe size and foot health.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excrescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excrescence. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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