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 Martin Short popped by Conan O'Brien's Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend podcast for a charming chat that involved an inordinate amount of insult comedy and references to of-the-moment stars like Ida Lupino and Betty Grable. Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 1 July 2025 Oysters contain an inordinate amount of zinc and copper, and the amino acids proline and lysine, precursors of collagen. Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 1 July 2025 Ordinary Iranians have been left without clean water, heating, job security or freedom of expression as Tehran has poured inordinate sums of money into assembling murderous proxies across the Middle East. Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025 The Thunder turned the ball over an inordinate amount of times, racking up 21 turnovers to the Pacers’ 11 and allowing 19 points off those turnovers to the Pacers’ 13. Zach Harper, New York Times, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for inordinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inordinate
Adjective
  • El Financiero also reported that authorities are investigating whether the accident was caused by excessive speed or distracted driving.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Private equity can have expensive structures, excessive fees, long lock-up periods, and valuations that are notoriously stale—making liquidity (getting money out), and performance (assessing the actual performance) more opaque for investors.
    Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Scientists say the findings shed new light on the potential for life to exist in extreme environments using the chemical compound methane instead of sunlight.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The costs of extreme weather, supply chain disruptions, and falling labor productivity are all visible on the horizon, with ample academic research to back them up.
    Justin Worland, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • While about half of Baby Boomers will have no long-term care expenses, costs will be steep for those who do.
    Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Per Baseball Savant, Bichette has ranked 406 among major leaguers for sprint speed this year, a steep decline from the 289th spot last year.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The emu egg—a two pound, eight-inch ovoid with a sultry teal shell gently speckled in pale green—seemed like just the right absurdist final flourish for an already insane endeavor.
    Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The mushroom risotto is rich and satisfying, and the beautiful, extravagant dinnerware adds to the restaurant’s glamorous feel.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The sky’s the limit for any kind of unique, unexpected, or extravagant request.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inordinate. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on inordinate

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