as in excess
being over what is needed
surplus stock gets shipped to the warehouse and is eventually sold at auction
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of surplus
Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2026
In particular, Rodriguez stressed that any surplus revenue from the Games must be used to cover city expenses before going into a legacy fund.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 17 Apr. 2026
When Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón, both rehabbing from elbow operations, return to the big-league rotation in the coming weeks, the Yankees could have a surplus of starting pitching.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Adjective
The proposal to declare the surplus property was discussed as a special board meeting April 13.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2026
In particular, Rodriguez stressed that any surplus revenue from the Games must be used to cover city expenses before going into a legacy fund.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
If fertilizer prices remain expensive or scarce, food prices could accelerate even if South African produces a surplus.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 17 Apr. 2026
When Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón, both rehabbing from elbow operations, return to the big-league rotation in the coming weeks, the Yankees could have a surplus of starting pitching.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surplus
Adjective
-
This bug directs excess attention toward the needs and empowerment of the lower orders, which in turn undermines the ability of figures like Musk to build the future in their own image.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The new offering provides more flexibility without requiring freezer space or excess meal planning.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Men’s letters to Shere overflow with complex feelings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Effects ripple beyond rural areas When hospitals close, nearby facilities absorb the overflow and often face less competition.—
Daniel R. George,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Trying to run a bar without any water is costing them around $500 a month—that's an extra $6,000 annually, and there was still a water bill to be paid.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The Eagles forced extra innings after Xavier Pacheco hit a 1-out RBI single to center in the bottom of the seventh.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the spare room or at the dining room table.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
-
This amazing, self-assembling, signal-processing, direction-switching molecular machine is so powerful yet so spare that, billions of years later, it’s still used by bacteria in virtually every gut and puddle on Earth.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surplus. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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