Synonyms of surplus

surplus 1 of 2

adjective

as in excess

being over what is needed

surplus stock gets shipped to the warehouse and is eventually sold at auction

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excess
• extra
• spare
• additional
• unwanted
• superfluous
• redundant
• unnecessary
• supernumerary
• supplementary
• supererogatory
• ample
• supplemental
• accessory
• unneeded
• plentiful
• bountiful
• nonessential
• needless
• abundant
• extraneous
• unessential
• dispensable
• copious
• gratuitous
• plenteous
• de trop
• uncalled-for

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insufficient
• scarce
• inadequate
• short
• deficient
• meager
• poor
• scanty
• scant
• sparse
• skimpy
• shortish

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excess
• overflow
• abundance
• sufficiency
• overabundance
• surplusage
• oversupply
• surfeit
• overage
• superabundance
• overplus
• bounty
• superfluity
• fat
• plethora
• plenty
• plus
• redundancy
• bellyful
• overkill
• overmuch
• overproduction
• profusion
• plentitude
• overstock

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deficit
• deficiency
• insufficiency
• lack
• scarcity
• undersupply
• dearth
• want

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of surplus

Adjective

Select locations donate surplus food to food banks and nonprofits through the Chick-fil-A Shared Table Program, and the company offers college scholarships for employees, per the Chick-fil-A website. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2026

Fernandez agreed to join the others on maintaining the city’s tax rate if households could receive a partial refund on their garbage fees from the city’s surplus funds. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

Noun

State officials had to employ an accounting gimmick to divert $712 million headed for surplus into a new program to expand affordable childcare. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 29 Oct. 2026

Ordinarily, the United States enjoys a substantial diesel surplus and is the world’s largest diesel exporter. — Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026