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

The state government uses it to buffer state finances when oil prices drop below levels that allow Alaska to generate surplus earnings. — Patrick J. Schena, The Conversation, 30 July 2026

Finnish labels frequently work through atelier practices, limited releases and surplus materials, while traditional textile skills continue to influence designers experimenting with knitting, print and surface design. — Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Noun

The city should declare a substantial tax-increment financing surplus. — Angel Gutierrez, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

The surplus gets exported, often at prices low enough to undercut the industrial economy in other countries. — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026