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
Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoman, 26 Feb. 2026
Containers will need frequent watering, so set each pot up on bricks or pot feet to allow surplus water to drain away from your plants’ roots.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 2 Mar. 2026
Some early border fences, which went up immediately after the end of the Second World War, were taken from Japanese internment camps; after the war, the Border Patrol received surplus airplanes to make patrolling easier.
—Garrett M. Graff, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Adjective
Miller said the campaign would settle all debts and return surplus funds where possible.
—Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoman, 26 Feb. 2026
Containers will need frequent watering, so set each pot up on bricks or pot feet to allow surplus water to drain away from your plants’ roots.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
Yes, but scale financed by debt operates differently than scale financed by surplus.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 2 Mar. 2026
Some early border fences, which went up immediately after the end of the Second World War, were taken from Japanese internment camps; after the war, the Border Patrol received surplus airplanes to make patrolling easier.
—Garrett M. Graff, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surplus
Adjective
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Ukrainian manufacturers have developed low-cost interceptor drones specifically designed to hunt and destroy Shaheds, and its rapidly expanding drone industry is producing excess capacity.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Ukrainian manufacturers have developed low-cost interceptor drones specifically designed to hunt and destroy Shaheds, and its rapidly expanding drone industry is producing excess capacity.—
Illia Novikov,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Limit memory items to specific containers to prevent overflow.—
Julianna Chen,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Mar. 2026
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Over the years, Thomas, a former state representative and Atlanta City Council member, had grown used to seeing the neighborhood’s sewers overflow after a heavy rain.—
Drew Kann,
AJC.com,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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My only gripe is that the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which allows for snappier logins and secure payments, can only be had with the 512-GB upgrade that costs an extra $100.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Mar. 2026
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Take extra caution when on the road or avoid driving if possible.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The gas market doesn’t have the same degree of supply flexibility as oil; there are few strategic reserves and little spare production or export capacity to fire up on short notice.—
Natasha Bracken,
semafor.com,
5 Mar. 2026
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Stacey Wondra told the detectives that after placing Michael in the duffel bag, the group drove him to a house in Kuna and put him in a spare room, the affidavit said.—
Alex Brizee
March 3,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surplus. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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