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
Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Under these rules, the Secretary of the Interior determined how much water use was to be reduced, and declared any availability of surplus water.
—Outside, 3 Mar. 2026
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Zucchini overgrows, leaving gardeners with a surplus of veggies to eat or get rid of.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Adjective
When the bill was before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government on February 4, Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky expressed concerns about the oversight of surplus lines carriers.
—Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Under these rules, the Secretary of the Interior determined how much water use was to be reduced, and declared any availability of surplus water.
—Outside, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
Over the course of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s term, CPS has lurched from budget crisis to budget crisis, able only to muddle through due to record-breaking mayoral declarations of tax-increment-financing surpluses.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Zucchini overgrows, leaving gardeners with a surplus of veggies to eat or get rid of.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surplus
Adjective
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One of the ways the body deals with blood being a little acidic is for bones to absorb some of the excess carbon dioxide and lock it away as calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
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China’s industries operate with massive excess capacity.—
Ram Charan,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In the past, the field across from the park has been used for overflow parking.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
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Washing towels regularly and not letting the laundry bin overflow will also help with managing foul odors, Klemova says.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The exhibition requires an extra ticket, $7-$9, in addition to museum general admission ($26 for adults, $21 for kids).—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
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The 28-year-old swung a hot bat before his injury and is 4 for 5 with the pair of extra base hits since his return.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But these spare parts only serve to highlight the disconnected nature of the director’s inspirations.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
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Much like the movie itself, the images captured by Jima on set are spare and enigmatic.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surplus. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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