inordinate

adjective

in-ˈȯr-də-nət How to pronounce inordinate (audio)
Definition of inordinatenext
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount an inordinate number of complaints about the slow pace of snow removal around the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word inordinate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of inordinate are excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, and immoderate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

When is excessive a more appropriate choice than inordinate?

The words excessive and inordinate can be used in similar contexts, but excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

When could exorbitant be used to replace inordinate?

The words exorbitant and inordinate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

When can extravagant be used instead of inordinate?

The meanings of extravagant and inordinate largely overlap; however, extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

Where would extreme be a reasonable alternative to inordinate?

Although the words extreme and inordinate have much in common, extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

When is it sensible to use immoderate instead of inordinate?

The synonyms immoderate and inordinate are sometimes interchangeable, but immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

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 inordinate The response was an excessive and inordinate expenditure of resources. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025 This belief sometimes leads to an inordinate focus on the downside of change and ignores the tremendous potential upside. —John Kormanik, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 Search efforts were complicated by an inordinate amount of clutter that was adding to the debris, police told News 12. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025 Schoen and the Giants spent an inordinate amount of time in Boulder, Colo., this past season scouting Deion Sanders’ top prospects. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inordinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inordinate
  1. excessive
  2. extreme
  3. steep
  4. insane
  5. extravagant
Adjective
  • But for others, anxiety is an ongoing disorder that causes excessive worry, and isn't just prompted by stressful situations.
    — Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
  • This study, which was published in the journal Neurology, comes when clinicians and public health advocates are raising awareness of alcohol use disorder and issues related to excessive alcohol consumption.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of excessive
Adjective
  • The extreme weather has also destroyed several homes and caused significant damage to structures, Fox Weather and Fox 10 reported.
    — Latoya Gayle, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The extreme selling on Thursday and Friday revealed that over 90% of the stocks on the NYSE declined and over 90% of the volume was declining volume.
    — Tom Aspray, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of extreme
Adjective
  • That was a slightly steeper decline than the one reported in a preliminary reading earlier this month.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Rescue crews found the hikers along a steep cliff edge in the Big Flat Area, about 10 miles north of an area known as Shelter Cove, according to a news release from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of steep
Adjective
  • Your voice is insane.
    — Mary Colurso | mcolurso@al.com, al, 4 Apr. 2023
  • But obviously winning the grand jury prize was insane.
    — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2023
Definition of insane
Adjective
  • Princess Diana and then Prince Charles tied the knot in an extravagant ceremony on July 29, 1981.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Abbott Elementary is experiencing quite the shake up after Ava (Janelle James) was fired last week when the district uncovered that the school had been extorting the nearby golf course for extravagant resources.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of extravagant

Browse Nearby Words

in order
inordinate
inordinately
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Cite this Entry

“Inordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inordinate. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of inordinate for Spanish Speakers

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