SURPLUS Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

surplus 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of surplus

as in excess

being over what is needed surplus stock gets shipped to the warehouse and is eventually sold at auction

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surplus

2 of 2

noun

ˈsər-(ˌ)pləs

as in overflow

the state or an instance of going beyond what is usual, proper, or needed we have a surplus of plastic knives, but we're short on forks and spoons for the picnic

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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 surplus

Adjective

Unless more water is conserved, the reservoirs that have stored surplus water over the decades could shrink to the point that only the water that naturally flows into the river each year would be released downstream. — Sarah Porter, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026 Lake Mead is also the final resting place of a surplus WWII B-29 that crashed in 1948. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Noun

That means China’s monopoly power, and its ability to weaponize it, will expand as its surpluses force more and more foreign companies out of business. — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026 After receiving unsolicited donations due to his online fame, Ashton chose to redirect these funds to clean seniors' bins for free, reinvesting any surplus into his business and savings. — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surplus

Recent Examples of Synonyms for surplus

Adjective

Even worse, the wing screens — the big digital screens mounted at the base of the F50’s wingsail — were fizzling out with the excess water torrenting out of the gloomy Sassnitz sky.

— Andrew Rice, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
The boots apply rhythmic pressure to the legs to improve circulation and move excess fluid out, which can ease heavy, tired legs after a long day of walking, a round of golf or a doubles match.

— Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of excess

Noun

The nonprofit thrift store in Homer Glen has been about six years in the making and opened its doors Thursday as cars parked in a nearby overflow lot and customers enjoyed punch and cookies while browsing through the displays.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
How levees work Levees are earthen embankments positioned parallel to a river that effectively raise the height of the banks of the river to prevent overflow when the river swells.

— Kaleigh Yost, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of overflow

Adjective

Slovan Bratislava With an extra-time win against Celje of Slovenia last month to clinch qualification, Slovan had lost just one competitive game out of 18.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
The extra attention may have helped push the song to the top, but the way two programs presented Swift's appearances left some fans feeling bamboozled.

— Bryan West, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of extra

Adjective

Critics of his efforts argue that the problem is less about people not knowing how to invest and more about them not having enough spare income to do so.

— Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
The original plan was for the rest of the Beatles to contribute, but during the three-and-a-half-hour session, the group struggled to find parts that improved upon McCartney’s spare arrangement.

— Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of spare

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“Surplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surplus. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of surplus

adjective

noun

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