Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of inordinate are excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, and immoderate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

When is excessive a more appropriate choice than inordinate?

The words excessive and inordinate can be used in similar contexts, but excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

When could exorbitant be used to replace inordinate?

The words exorbitant and inordinate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

When can extravagant be used instead of inordinate?

The meanings of extravagant and inordinate largely overlap; however, extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

Where would extreme be a reasonable alternative to inordinate?

Although the words extreme and inordinate have much in common, extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

When is it sensible to use immoderate instead of inordinate?

The synonyms immoderate and inordinate are sometimes interchangeable, but immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

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 inordinate One was a bald comedian with glasses who complained constantly and had an inordinate fear of halitosis. Larry David, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025 Factory ships deplete fisheries in a matter of years and an inordinate amount of sea life also perishes in their nets. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2025 New car buyers pay a premium Car buyers pay an inordinate premium for new vehicles. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025 The parents spend an inordinate amount of time bringing them food and keeping a close eye on them. Monica Deeks, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inordinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inordinate
Adjective
  • There was excessive growth of microtubules that wasn’t caused by an increase in gene activity, but likely due to the cells failing to clear away old or misfolded proteins.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Nov. 2025
  • But Walpole’s excitement was curbed when they were flagged for excessive celebration.
    Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The research team claims that their strategy offers a novel approach to developing high-performance cathodes capable of operating under extreme temperatures.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The scale runs from G1, minor, to G5, extreme.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Best Early Black Friday Target Kitchen Deals The sale brings steep discounts to top kitchen brands like Ninja, Keurig, and KitchenAid.
    Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
  • His mental health went into a steep decline.
    Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • His votes, like his tattoos, just weren’t insane enough anymore.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
  • His voice messages of songs are amazing and insane.
    Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The boom in production costs has been blamed on high talent prices, stemming from extravagant spending by big streamers in recent years.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Not every Tesla investor was on board with the extravagant deal.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inordinate. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on inordinate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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