excess 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of excessnext
as in extra
being over what is needed any excess food from the party will be donated to a shelter for the homeless

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excess

2 of 3

noun

ik-ˈses How to pronounce excess (audio)
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

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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

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excess

3 of 3

verb

as in to lay off

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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
Adjective
If the primary issue is excess skin in the upper lids and puffiness in the lower lids, then upper and lower blepharoplasty would be the most effective solution. — Carlos Wolf, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025 Spartan’s anti-inflammatory ingredients soothe irritation, reduce excess oil buildup, and eliminate dandruff. — Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
There’s a desire to punish excess, and unfortunately, that leads to very homogenous filmmaking from the studios. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 4 Mar. 2025 But Harry and Meghan appear to possess no qualities in enthralling excess. — Judy Berman, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
Over the past few months, my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening. — 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excess
  1. extra
  2. surplus
  3. lay off
  4. spare
  5. sack
  6. trim
  7. remove
  8. downsize
Adjective
  • The Cubs also believe the 6-foot-4 defender can be a backup shortstop and an extra outfielder.
    — Patrick Mooney, The Athletic, 10 Mar. 2025
  • At the top of the range, GT-Line S can be had with a heat pump for an extra £900 at £43,895 ($56,700).
    — Trinity Francis, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of extra
Noun
  • The province generates enough power to sell its surplus to New York, Michigan, and Minnesota, providing light to about 1.5 million U.S. homes and businesses.
    — Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The example captured in Kursk might be the 81st. Worse for the Ukrainians, no more Bradleys are coming unless the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump pledges additional copies from U.S. Army surplus.
    — David Axe, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of surplus
Verb
  • For example, Johns Hopkins University is having to lay off over 2,000 people after $800 million in grants to the institution’s investigators were basically yanked, as Kanishka Singh reported for Reuters.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
  • According to a memo circulated among agency heads and previously reported by USA TODAY, the VA plans to lay off at least 76,000 more workers, which lawmakers and advocates fear could devastate the already short-staffed agency.
    — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of lay off
Adjective
  • On the International Space Station, astronauts use 3D printers to make tools and spare parts, such as ratchet wrenches, clamps and brackets.
    — Sven Bilén, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Payton has finally given up the notion that three spare parts — Adam Trautman, Lucas Krull and Nate Adkins — equal one pass-catching V-8.
    — Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of spare
Verb
  • New England’s quarterbacks were sacked 52 times over the course of it.
    — Oliver Thomas, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The 38-year-old sacked Trevor Lawrence on his first defensive snap and tackled Travis Etienne Jr. in the backfield on the following play.
    — C. Isaiah Smalls II, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of sack
Verb
  • One of those earlier safety campaigns, in June of last year, pertained to trim pieces along the exterior of the trunk bed that could come loose while driving.
    — Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Stefan Wermuth | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Swiss National bank on Thursday trimmed its key interest rate by a further 25 basis points as the country’s economy grapples with depressed inflation.
    — Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of trim
Verb
  • Trump, however, issued an executive order on his first day in office removing U.S. coastal waters from offshore wind development.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The Trump administration has begun acting on its worthy goal of removing aliens who support Hamas -- its jihadist terror and its antisemitism.
    — Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of remove
Verb
  • The brothers are anticipating a range of tenants at The Olmsted Farmington, with a strong emphasis on young professionals drawn to the nearby UConn health science corridor as well as homeowners downsizing.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2025
  • As departments across the federal government in the Trump administration rapidly downsize their workforces, one office keeps getting bigger.
    — Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of downsize

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“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excess. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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