as in extra
being over what is needed
any excess food from the party will be donated to a shelter for the homeless
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in surplus
the state or an instance of going beyond what is usual, proper, or needed
a new television season with an excess of sitcoms featuring wisecracking teenagers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excessiveness
a propensity for extremes in one's actions, beliefs, or habits
the wretched excess that is so often found in the world of show business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to lay off
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 excess
Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
After gastric bypass surgery and excess skin removal, Jones dropped more than 400 lbs.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
James Powel, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Frank set about reining in their attacking excesses.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 17 July 2023
That suggests existing protections won’t have much force until the state extends its new worker-misclassification law (which cracks down on employers who rely to excess on gig workers) to temporary employees.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 22 Sep. 2021
See All Example Sentences for excess
Adjective
Dip the bottom of each cutting in rooting hormone and shake off any excess rooting powder or gel.
—Noun
The bubbles in the laminate layer of the windshield resulted from an excess of residual air trapped during the windshield lamination manufacturing process, according to the recall report.
—Verb
Over the past few months, my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for excess
Adjective
-
And although lightweight, the shoe doesn’t compromise on support — it’s designed with a memory foam sole that absorbs impact and provides an extra layer of padding.—
-
While there are plenty of bandages, wraps, and tapes, extra items such as an emergency thermal blanket, flashlights, sting relief, burn compression, and other items elevate this kit to support a variety of solutions.—
Noun
-
As providers warn of layoffs and a system nearing collapse, the contrast between the agency's austerity measures and the state's multi-billion dollar surplus remains a central point of contention for advocates and legislators alike.—
-
But in the years since, Sacramento has failed to act to address the massive debt incurred during the pandemic, despite having a $100 billion surplus in recent years.—
Verb
-
They are forced to take out high-interest loans, drain reserves, lay off staff or cut services, all while continuing to perform work they are contracted to deliver.—
-
Ohio's Starbucks may shrink in the near future after the chain announced plans to close locations nationwide and lay off employees in retail and non-retail positions.—
Adjective
-
In this poetry collection, Vilariño strips poetry to its essence—distilling love, loss, and the inexorable passage of time into spare yet searing verses.—
-
Pine Ridge, South Dakota — A four-pack of rez dogs trotted toward the lone grocery store, greeting and tailing human companions in hopes of a spare scrap.—
Verb
-
Philly flashbacks There was no shortage of hard feelings (and maybe some sour grapes) when the 49ers lost 31-7 in the NFC Championship Game following the 2022 season when Haason Reddick sacked Purdy and tore the UCL in his right elbow.—
-
Miami punts The Hurricanes once again got past midfield, but Carson Beck was then sacked on back-to-back plays to force a Miami punt.—
Verb
-
Fears aired an alley-oop dunk to forward Carson Cooper on the next play, the first score of the second half, to trim Arkansas’ lead to 39-38.—
-
The key is to fold the scarf over itself to create volume and to look for a lace trim that leaves the hem frayed, so as not to look too formal.—
Verb
-
Everglades restoration involves removing as many of these dams as possible without risking flood control, while adding more reservoirs for water storage, all to revive a river of grass that flows once more.—
-
Staff immediately removed him from his cell and provided medical aid.—
Verb
-
In 2019, about 60% of Olathe’s housing stock was less than $300,000, a price range that’s often considered attainable for first-time home buyers or residents looking to downsize.—
-
The Saratoga City Council unanimously approved entering a tolling agreement with a developer in November to downsize a project and persuade them to withdraw their builder’s remedy application.—
Cite this Entry
“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excess. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share