as in excesses
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of surpluses
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
That money built up other countries’ economies or sloshed around as financial surpluses that fueled financial market exuberance and asset bubbles that could suddenly pop.
—Amy Myers Jaffe, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
These surpluses were credited to the OASI trust fund.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
San Diego officials say this is groundbreaking stuff in the water world, creating new mechanisms and legal frameworks to transfer water from where there are surpluses to where there’s need.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Inflation followed and hit a high of 9%, weakening the dollar and repricing government debt to match expected future primary surpluses.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
For many reasons Texans are overtaxed as witnessed by the governor claiming surpluses.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Lawmakers should strengthen the spending and volatility caps by limiting off budget workarounds and ensuring that one-time surpluses are used responsibly.
—Carol Platt Liebau, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs each have infield surpluses, making players like Isaac Paredes, Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw logical targets.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
That money built up other countries’ economies or sloshed around as financial surpluses that fueled financial market exuberance and asset bubbles that could suddenly pop.
—Amy Myers Jaffe, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
These surpluses were credited to the OASI trust fund.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
San Diego officials say this is groundbreaking stuff in the water world, creating new mechanisms and legal frameworks to transfer water from where there are surpluses to where there’s need.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Inflation followed and hit a high of 9%, weakening the dollar and repricing government debt to match expected future primary surpluses.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
For many reasons Texans are overtaxed as witnessed by the governor claiming surpluses.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Lawmakers should strengthen the spending and volatility caps by limiting off budget workarounds and ensuring that one-time surpluses are used responsibly.
—Carol Platt Liebau, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs each have infield surpluses, making players like Isaac Paredes, Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw logical targets.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surpluses
Noun
-
In terms of design, Callum has stopped short of Wood & Pickett’s past excesses, giving the Mini more visual attitude without eroding its classic identity.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Over the past year, ICE has been responsible for many of the worst excesses of this administration, taking a hatchet to due process and other civil protections, and visiting violence upon our communities.—
Kica Matos,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And in places where sewage and rain flow through the same pipes, heavy rains made worse by climate change can make overflows to waterways more frequent and severe.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The overflows have triggered a number of recreational and shellfish harvesting advisories along the Potomac.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surpluses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surpluses. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
