Synonym Chooser

How is the word exorbitant different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of exorbitant are excessive, extravagant, extreme, immoderate, and inordinate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

When might excessive be a better fit than exorbitant?

Although the words excessive and exorbitant have much in common, excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

When would extravagant be a good substitute for exorbitant?

The words extravagant and exorbitant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

When could extreme be used to replace exorbitant?

The meanings of extreme and exorbitant largely overlap; however, extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

Where would immoderate be a reasonable alternative to exorbitant?

The words immoderate and exorbitant can be used in similar contexts, but immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

When can inordinate be used instead of exorbitant?

The synonyms inordinate and exorbitant are sometimes interchangeable, but inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

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 exorbitant But the search continues, and despite all those pitfalls, hospitals and physicians are using unapproved tests that are available to screen patients, often at exorbitant costs. Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025 Leaning into its own evolution over retro homage or elegant pastiche, Art of Vengeance shows the value that a two-dimensional platformer can have at a time when exorbitant AAA games all suffer from overly ambitious bloat. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025 The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency designed in part by Warren as part of the Dodd-Frank financial reforms, finalized a rule in late 2024 that closed a loophole allowing banks to charge exorbitant overdraft fees. Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025 Proposals to raise land and property taxes have also fueled anger, including protests in the town of Pati against a proposal for an exorbitant 250% property tax hike in Central Java, which was later withdrawn. Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exorbitant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exorbitant
Adjective
  • Just don't glaze because that's heaping someone with excessive and insincere praise.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Typically, when there is an outbreak of hemorrhagic disease, Tennessee saw excessive rain in spring and early summer with dry coditions in late summer, the agency said.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • During the third quarter, Fever star Kelsey Mitchell left the court due to extreme cramping in her lower body.
    Frank Nunns O'Connell, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
  • But the plan roundly ignores the contributions of climate change to the state's extreme heat problem.
    Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Similar protests occurred in Brazil over steep living costs and poor healthcare and education ahead of the country hosting the 2014 World Cup tournament.
    Connor Greene, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
  • This figure marks a steep decline from last year’s already historic low of 31%, and continues a nearly five-decade slide from the high of 68% recorded in 1972.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Huppert delivers a commanding performance as Marianne Farrère, a wealthy heiress whose extravagant gifts to a much younger artist ignite public outrage.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Okane is desperate at the prospect of losing both her true love and her one defender, and her desperation gives rise to extravagant and harrowing drama.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Continue reading … ORWELL NIGHTMARE – Joe Rogan blasts 'insane' media silence on arrests for social media posts.
    , FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The queen greeted this insane question with a politely regal stare, ignored my faux pas, and continued talking about financial inclusion.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exorbitant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exorbitant. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on exorbitant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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