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 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 The struggle to earn a living often becomes a fixation with many working an inordinate number of hours. Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for inordinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inordinate
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
  • 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
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

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on inordinate

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