as in excess
being over what is needed
surplus stock gets shipped to the warehouse and is eventually sold at auction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Jan. 2026
And the staggering surplus figure is also testament to the country’s rapid climb to dominate green technologies like EVs, lithium-ion batteries, and solar panels, as well as its prowess in making machinery and tech products at scale.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 15 Jan. 2026
Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026
Held Over, opened in 1974 inside a former bank, still carries military surplus and era-true Levi’s.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Adjective
Why the surplus rule could decide the director race.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Jan. 2026
And the staggering surplus figure is also testament to the country’s rapid climb to dominate green technologies like EVs, lithium-ion batteries, and solar panels, as well as its prowess in making machinery and tech products at scale.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
Founded in 1946 on Beale Street by Bernard Lansky, Lansky Brothers evolved from an army surplus store to a high end fashion destination for some of the biggest names in music and beyond.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026
Held Over, opened in 1974 inside a former bank, still carries military surplus and era-true Levi’s.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surplus
Adjective
-
Because of this, vitamin D toxicity also results in hypercalcemia (blood calcium levels above normal) and hypercalciuria (excess calcium in the urine).—
Jamie Johnson,
Verywell Health,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Cooking frozen vegetables directly helps prevent excess moisture from leaching out and keeps flavors concentrated.—
Amber Love Bond,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There was an overflow room to accommodate the number of people who attended the service.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Place pie pan on a cookie sheet to catch any overflow.—
Kathryn Gregory,
Louisville Courier Journal,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This year, extra pitfalls exist that could make taxpayers fumble and make a mistake on their tax return.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Qualifying for Europe’s elite competition will add to United’s payroll overheads, but the extra income from playing in it will more than offset that.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The rooms The 219 rooms including 40 suites perfectly nail that balance of minimalism and luxury without seeming spare, or overly precious.—
Todd Plummer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The spare ingredient list allows the bulb’s true flavor to shine through.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surplus. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
