Definition of surfeitnext

surfeit

2 of 2

verb

as in to glut
to fill with food to capacity having surfeited ourselves on raw oysters, we had to decline the rest of the restaurant's offerings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word surfeit different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of surfeit are cloy, glut, gorge, pall, sate, and satiate. While all these words mean "to fill to repletion," surfeit implies a nauseating repletion.

surfeited themselves with junk food

When could cloy be used to replace surfeit?

While in some cases nearly identical to surfeit, cloy stresses the disgust or boredom resulting from such surfeiting.

sentimental pictures that cloy after a while

In what contexts can glut take the place of surfeit?

While the synonyms glut and surfeit are close in meaning, glut implies excess in feeding or supplying.

a market glutted with diet books

Where would gorge be a reasonable alternative to surfeit?

Although the words gorge and surfeit have much in common, gorge suggests glutting to the point of bursting or choking.

gorged themselves with chocolate

When might pall be a better fit than surfeit?

The synonyms pall and surfeit are sometimes interchangeable, but pall emphasizes the loss of ability to stimulate interest or appetite.

a life of leisure eventually begins to pall

How do satiate and sate relate to one another, in the sense of surfeit?

Both satiate and sate may sometimes imply only complete satisfaction but more often suggest repletion that has destroyed interest or desire.

years of globe-trotting had satiated their interest in travel
readers were sated with sensationalistic stories

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 surfeit
Noun
Minnesota officials, immigration lawyers and others alleged the conditions within the building were deplorable, citing a surfeit of beds and bathroom facilities, leg restraints for detainees and barriers to accessing legal aid. Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026 Denver is holding a Potato Palooza to give away a surfeit of spuds. John Wilkerson, STAT, 28 July 2026
Verb
As a theater critic surfeited with plays, radio dramas worked best for me as an unplanned diversion in my car. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025 But the younger people making theater now are drawn to it now because they’ve been surfeited with digital culture. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for surfeit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surfeit
Noun
  • Unless leverage can be generated from competing suitors, clubs interested in Chelsea’s surplus players can be confident their positions will strengthen as the transfer deadline nears.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Cultivation is an even smaller proportion of household earnings for small and marginal farmers, who produce very little surplus and face other issues such as poor access to credit and markets.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Previous predictions showed the industry downturn extending through 2026 and the global plastics glut not being fully solved until 2030, Carter said.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 30 July 2026
  • The walls are glutted with oil portraits, and antiques sourced from l’Isle-sur-Sorgue are the real thing; staff are dressed in somewhat cumbersome costume (medieval-style bodices and straw boaters) but ever attentive.
    Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour until well coated on both sides, shaking off any excess.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Las Vegas is known for its neon lights and over-the-top excess.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Keep in mind, too, that grouse will gorge themselves on a particular food, especially in the fall.
    Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
  • America’s Poison Centers’s national helpline receives more than 60,000 calls about possible vitamin poisoning every year, mostly from parents alarmed after their children have accidentally gorged on the chewy sweets.
    Cat Rainsford, Popular Science, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • On a recent afternoon, the lanky, mustachioed Zucker, wearing a T-shirt, ballcap and small hoop earrings, bears little resemblance to his comic alter ego who sports a tattered suit with gag props stuffed in every pocket.
    Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Thin-shelled yet not overly delicate, stuffed with amarena cherry-scented light ricotta bookended by bitter dark chocolate chips.
    The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • And while fans have been sated by the footballing feast, FIFA and its member associations have gorged on the tournament’s fruits.
    Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026
  • His thirst would be sated in the second half.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Surfeit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surfeit. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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