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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excrescence
Noun
-
On Sept 24, Finn had another major nine-and-a-half-hour surgery to remove the tumor.—
Jori Parys,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Schumaker called a team meeting to introduce the Rangers to Cade Spinello, a 20-year-old survivor of a brain tumor, whom the manager met more than a decade ago when he first got involved with the foundation that supports pediatric cancer patients and their families.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ford estimates that all of these vehicles have the defects.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
My companion must be of the same species, and have the same defects.—
Rory Doherty,
Time,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
My son, a lump of breath that fell into the world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
-
And while some can work magic with a claw clip, others struggle to avoid lumps and bumps without invoking gels and wax.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her zapping turns her entire head of hair — not just a streak — shocking white à la Jean Harlow, and leaves an oddly-appealing black blotch on her cheek.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Its purple black center was surrounded by blotches of varying shades and textures, raised or sunken at places.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nicholas fully recovered and is about to turn 18, his father said, but still has physical scars.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Also, our editors rounded up the most effective over-the-counter products for fading scars.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Investigators documented animals with health concerns including overgrown hooves, draining abscesses and limb deformities.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Court documents reveal extensive injuries including ligature marks, burn marks, broken bones and deformity sustained before Crystal Marie Falcon’s death on February 13.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Excrescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excrescence. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
