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

Lance Peanut Butter Crackers Lance got its start by roasting and selling surplus peanuts, but its most famous snack came later. — Evan Moore august 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Aug. 2026

Hydroelectric equipment initially powered construction machinery, while surplus electricity supported pumping and served Phoenix customers. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026

Noun

This manufacturing surplus reflects a concerted policy choice. — Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026

Learn how to measure flour the Test Kitchen way, and remember that dipping the measuring cup in the flour and scooping it out generally results in a 25-gram surplus of flour. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Aug. 2026