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
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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
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Recent Examples of excess
Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
Symptoms may include irregular periods, acne, excess facial or body hair, thinning hair, weight changes and infertility, according to the WHO and Cleveland Clinic.
—Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
The suit seeks compensatory damages in excess of $25,000, punitive damages sufficient to deter future similar conduct and attorney’s fees.
—Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2023
You’ve been quoted as saying that that is really what the film is about — not so much drinking to excess as embracing the uncontrollable.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for excess
Adjective
Some of our favorite compression packing cubes on the market, these Bagsmart cubes free up to 60 percent extra packing space in your luggage by compressing the excess air out of your clothes.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
Symptoms may include irregular periods, acne, excess facial or body hair, thinning hair, weight changes and infertility, according to the WHO and Cleveland Clinic.
—Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Noun
This reductive view of the world—women things bad, men things good—is the mirror image of the worst excesses of 2010s Tumblr feminism, when introverted teenage girls posted hashtags like #KillAllMen and drank from mugs that read MALE TEARS.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
The suit seeks compensatory damages in excess of $25,000, punitive damages sufficient to deter future similar conduct and attorney’s fees.
—Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Verb
Over the past few months my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2023
You’ve been quoted as saying that that is really what the film is about — not so much drinking to excess as embracing the uncontrollable.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for excess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excess
Adjective
-
The spa Indoor and outdoor pools here provide extra options for entertainment, and the patio’s sunbeds see a lot of attention, especially on weekends when rates often drop here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
Do not bury the point under extra polish.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Newsom then proposes spending that $10 billion in the next year’s budget, according to the LAO report — in essence, making a quick deposit to carry some of this year’s surplus over for next year’s budget.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
-
By linking their grids, member states can share domestic surpluses in real time.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Unable to collect rent, many were forced to take on debt, lay off staff, delay repairs and, in some cases, sell their property.—
Michael Casey,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
-
Gaspar followed up by announcing New Britain might have to close Northend School and lay off 103 workers, including 49 teachers unless the city put forward more money.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Bring a flashlight with spare batteries to hike during the cool evening.—
Hali Smith,
Idaho Statesman,
13 May 2026
-
Other things flying up include flexible repair patches for sealing the space station’s hull, a replacement ultrasonic inspection tool, spare units for the station’s vibration monitoring system and parts to improve water processing and oxygen generation.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
With that said, the Wings will most likely proceed with an abundance of caution and focus on the rookie’s long-term success.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 May 2026
-
Besides golf, the resort offers an abundance of outdoor activities like lake cruises, fishing, boating, biking, hiking, paddleboarding, and more.—
Megan duBois,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
United also won the FA Cup under Erik ten Hag in 2024 though he was sacked later that year and replaced by Ruben Amorim, who himself was dismissed in January 2026.—
Sam Joseph,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Starmer sacked Mandelson last September after a trove of emails revealed the depth of his ties with Epstein.—
Elizabeth Piper,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
And the bus agency will stage buses to handle potential overflow crowds or delays on the streetcar, among other improvements through the Kansas City Area Transit Authority (KCATA) during the World Cup.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2026
-
After the scan, the overflow doctor called.—
Nami Mun,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Cut off and discard the leaves, then remove any brown spots and trim the ends.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
14 May 2026
-
The rising cost of fuel and groceries has trimmed their choices to the necessities.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excess. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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