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2
as in defect
something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing
local residents regard the hulking apartment building as a hideous excrescence on their once-lovely street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of excrescence
But if the art market seems like an excrescence on a more limited and refined definition of the art world — focused on art, artists, museums, nonprofit arts organizations and the passion of art lovers and connoisseurs — then Sotheby’s capture of the building is impossible to celebrate.
—
Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 6 June 2023
One suspects that that weird brown hair-excrescence thing had something to do with it.
—Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 15 Jan. 2021
Each generation sees the technological advances of the previous era—no matter how near—as excrescences of an ancient world.
—Maël Renouard, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2020
His nationalism, in expression hyperbolic enough, essentially takes the form of virulent tropes of anti-socialism, anti-feminism and homophobia, excrescences alien to the Brazilian soul.
—Will Meyer, Longreads, 4 Oct. 2019
Various external forces coincided to make Kuma’s flirtation with monumental excrescences an abortive one.
—Nikil Saval, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2018
His evidence comes not only from obscure and difficult literary testimonia but from tree rings, ice cores and speleothems (excrescences found in caves from which ancient humidity levels can be deduced).
—James Romm, WSJ, 27 Oct. 2017
It was argued that the condition of Russia was a special one; that, elsewhere, the problem was rather one of dealing with the excrescences of the capitalist system than with capitalism itself.
—Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 6 June 2023
One suspects that that weird brown hair-excrescence thing had something to do with it.
—Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 15 Jan. 2021
Each generation sees the technological advances of the previous era—no matter how near—as excrescences of an ancient world.
—Maël Renouard, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2020
His nationalism, in expression hyperbolic enough, essentially takes the form of virulent tropes of anti-socialism, anti-feminism and homophobia, excrescences alien to the Brazilian soul.
—Will Meyer, Longreads, 4 Oct. 2019
Various external forces coincided to make Kuma’s flirtation with monumental excrescences an abortive one.
—Nikil Saval, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2018
His evidence comes not only from obscure and difficult literary testimonia but from tree rings, ice cores and speleothems (excrescences found in caves from which ancient humidity levels can be deduced).
—James Romm, WSJ, 27 Oct. 2017
It was argued that the condition of Russia was a special one; that, elsewhere, the problem was rather one of dealing with the excrescences of the capitalist system than with capitalism itself.
—Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excrescence
Noun
-
The patient received chemotherapy, and for several months the tumors in her pancreas and her liver shrank.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
And although the treatments were proving successful, the toddler would ultimately need a liver transplant due to the location of the tumor in his liver.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Higher rates of birth defects among Hispanic moms Nationwide, Hispanic women have the highest rates of having those defects during pregnancy.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
-
A number of states are considering legislation requiring food makers to add folic acid to corn masa flour used to make tortillas in a bid to tackle child health defects.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The ticket, which has a one-time lump-sum amount of $118 million, has still not been claimed as of today.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Add American cheese, remaining 1 cup cheddar, and reserved soaking water; stir vigorously until most of the cheese is melted (some small lumps of cheese will remain and that is OK) and water is absorbed.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The eggs vary in color—from white to blue to brown—with speckles, blotches, and other markings and are also distinctive in shape.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Early salt damage often appears as pale, chalky blotches or uneven fading in the paint finish.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Post-accident, Varren still sports a forehead scar and continues to ride his e-bike in his Miramar neighborhood with friends.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Sometimes, the aftermath of a boom-and-bust cycle leaves a scar that lasts for generations.—
Doug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Born with a club foot and a deformity to his right ear, Meyers — who also contracted polio as a child — found solace in music.—
Hector Saldana,
San Antonio Express-News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
In December 2023, the FDA issued a warning about the dangers of fat-dissolving injections after many reports of severe side effects, including permanent scars, serious infections, skin deformities, cysts, and deep, painful knots.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Excrescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excrescence. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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