INORDINATE Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

inordinate

adjective

in-ˈȯr-də-nət

Definition of inordinate

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

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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 Families spend an inordinate amount of time navigating systems that should be working together to serve children, but often aren’t. — CNN Money, 18 June 2026 Her job is one that requires inordinate calm. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 15 June 2026 This year’s gubernatorial contest is not the first time Steyer has spent an inordinate sum seeking office. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026 That li’l forehead bestie can require an inordinate amount of upkeep. — Elle Turner, Glamour, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for inordinate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inordinate

Adjective

Carrying five tight ends is excessive, so there probably won’t be room for Fidone unless Theo Johnson’s shoulder injury is more serious than initially believed.

— Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Interestingly, patient education level or excessive punctuation had little impact.

— Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

China is also blocked from accessing ASML’s most advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Intel is a slightly different case because it’s also caught up in the mania for chip stocks as spending on artificial intelligence creates extreme demand for semiconductors.

— Norah Rami, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of extreme

Adjective

The new season has been absolutely insane through four episodes as the hunt to save Joe (Zoe Saldaña) from her kidnappers is underway.

— David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
If Gigi is malintentioned and insane and a homewrecker, there’s no story, right?

— Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of insane

Adjective

Despite all of this potential economic turmoil on the Canadian side, Carney still concluded that at the end of the day, the cost of acceding to Washington’s extravagant demands was higher than the cost of job losses and strain on a key industry.

— Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Their journey leads them through an extravagant amusement park built on the grounds of a drug lord’s former estate.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of extravagant

Browse Nearby Words

in order

inordinate

inordinately

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“Inordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inordinate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of inordinate

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