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, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025 That’s how many metro Detroit parents describe the exorbitant prices of back-to-school supplies. Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 26 Aug. 2025 Many consumers also accused retailers and Nvidia of exploiting the demand by charging exorbitant costs. PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025 For a small independent repair shop, these fees are exorbitant. Dwayne Myers, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exorbitant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exorbitant
Adjective
  • Avoid using excessive water to prevent damaging the floors.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Common symptoms include excessive scratching, licking, ear infections, and digestive issues.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There are a number of majority-minority districts in blue states as well which, if viewed by the Court as unconstitutionally created, could further complicate blue-state efforts to respond to Texas-style extreme gerrymandering.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Louisville Metro Council is considering an ordinance to define and regulate new types of homeless shelters that council members hope will help expand shelter access during periods of extreme weather.
    Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Aviation resources and hand crews will play a primary role due to steep, rocky terrain and limited dozer access.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The district’s disparate parts would be connected largely by two-lane highways cutting through steep slopes of places such as the Modoc National Forest, where nervous drivers must beware of a lack of guardrails.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • What to expect Vaughn said the boutique has something for everyone with dress sizes ranging from zero to 28 and a variety of styles from short and simple to long and extravagant.
    Emma George-Griffin, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • As the dust settles on another chaotic summer of extravagant Premier League spending, there’s time to take a step back.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Stines’ defense attorneys, Jeremy and Kerri Bartley, say the sheriff was insane at the time of the killing and want his full mental health report – which is currently sealed – released to the public.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Making straight men insane comes with the territory on one of TV’s most-talked about shows of the last five years (House of the Dragon continues to rack up toward 10 million viewers per ep).
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exorbitant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exorbitant. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on exorbitant

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