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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
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
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
This concrete excrescence, remnant of a barbaric plan to encase the city in freeways, isn’t necessary and could be scrubbed off the landscape with a little bit of enlightened leadership.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 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
Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
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
This concrete excrescence, remnant of a barbaric plan to encase the city in freeways, isn’t necessary and could be scrubbed off the landscape with a little bit of enlightened leadership.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excrescence
Noun
-
Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, in 2022.—
Karen Fratti,
People.com,
16 Mar. 2025
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Read Next California Orphan mountain lion cubs found hiding under car after mom killed, California zoo says January 29, 2025 1:56 PM Read Next North Carolina ‘Spirited’ tiger dies at North Carolina rescue after tumors spread.—
Rhiannon Saegert,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, this troubled individual was committed to Whiting Forensic Hospital for up to 60 years.—
Matthew J. Funchion,
Hartford Courant,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Battery defect detection startup Glimpse raised a $10 million Series A led by Japanese electronics giant TDK's venture group.—
Katie Fehrenbacher,
Axios,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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While less consequential for than last year’s clothing controversy involving the apparel brands Nike and Fanatics—which affected jerseys worn by players—New Era’s apparent misstep is another example of MLB’s brand taking lumps because of design decisions made outside of its purview.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
10 Mar. 2025
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The puck broke Ray’s glasses and left a massive lump on his head, but Ray didn’t miss a second of game action.—
Matthew Fairburn,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Doctors could see white blotches and smears around those dark spaces, indicating lesions.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
11 Mar. 2025
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Overall, the geckos have pale brown bodies with several darker brown bands and lighter white blotches.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Male sharks are also known to bite females during mating, leaving distinctive scars.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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The Moon, meanwhile, still bears many large scars from this period, because its surface is far less active.—
Michael Irving,
New Atlas,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Excessive systemic exposure to fluorides can also lead to skeletal fluorosis, which causes pain, stiffness and bone deformities, or dental/enamel fluorosis, which causes tooth discoloration.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA TODAY,
19 Mar. 2025
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Excessive levels can lead to issues such as tooth discoloration, bone deformities and thyroid problems.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
21 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Excrescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excrescence. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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