INORDINATE Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

inordinate

adjective

in-ˈȯr-də-nət

Definition of inordinate next

as in excessive

going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount an inordinate number of complaints about the slow pace of snow removal around the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 The center console devotes an inordinate amount of space to side-by-side wireless phone chargers. —

Adam Ismail, The Drive, 18 Feb. 2026 Still, that seems like an inordinate number of launches. —

Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026 And yet, people with digital partners seem to get an inordinate amount of online hate. —

Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026 Venezuela’s constitution is not that of a democracy, but that of an electoral autocracy where power is concentrated to an inordinate degree in the executive branch. —

Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inordinate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inordinate

Adjective

The author emphasizes that the library book controversy—central to the group’s identity—was excessive and poorly conceived.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Ed Masley Weather can make all the difference at an outdoor music festival, as anyone who’s shivered through a cold and rainy night to see their favorite band (or couldn’t take selfies because their smartphone powered down to save itself from the excessive heat) can tell you.

— Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 9 Apr. 2026