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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of surplus
Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
The move is enabled by the expansion of Florida’s Schools of Hope law, which allows approved charter school operators co-locate or have full access to underused, vacant or surplus district facilities in the attendance zone or within five miles of a persistently low-performing school.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
The 2025 Leviathan Award goes to the multitalented Ernest Dickerson, whose prolific career as a cinematographer and director has given horror fans a surplus of greatness on screens both big and small.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Adjective
But critics worried that any surplus designation would expose the city to unwanted development that could ultimately include housing, because once the Surplus Land Act is invoked, the law requires affordable housing be prioritized on the property.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
The move is enabled by the expansion of Florida’s Schools of Hope law, which allows approved charter school operators co-locate or have full access to underused, vacant or surplus district facilities in the attendance zone or within five miles of a persistently low-performing school.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
The surplus of non-alcoholic options feels right on time, considering alcohol consumption is on the decline.
—Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
The 2025 Leviathan Award goes to the multitalented Ernest Dickerson, whose prolific career as a cinematographer and director has given horror fans a surplus of greatness on screens both big and small.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surplus
Adjective
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By contrast, the new project—bankrolled by Big Tech firms and crypto moguls—is one of excess and self-advertisement.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
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While monthly payments tend to be lower, leases come with mileage limits — usually 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year — and may include fees for excess wear or mileage.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Officials at the Water Reclamation Authority are pursuing new goals after the utility was officially released last year from a pair of longstanding legal agreements that required the utility to address sewer overflows, leading to major investments across the system.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Oct. 2025
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Both the 350-person main sanctuary and 60-person overflow room were filled at the church, a few blocks from where the collision killed Andrew Olsen and injured his two siblings in the Lake Murray area of San Diego Monday morning.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Additionally, extra surcharges for certain industrial operations will increase by 2 cents per year over the next five years.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Oct. 2025
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The Mercury moonwalk will consume our holiday plans, so steer clear of awkward conversations with the family and allot extra time for travel in case delays get in the way of a prompt arrival.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Warner Bros history is movie history, and the notion that that history is bought and sold like so many spare car parts can cause a deep eyeroll about the way pop culture gets jammed into the unforgiving confines of M&A culture.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
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In real-world use, this comfortably supports multiple short shooting sessions, though extended filming may require a spare battery.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surplus. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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