SURPLUS Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

surplus 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of surplus

as in excess

being over what is needed surplus stock gets shipped to the warehouse and is eventually sold at auction

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

surplus

2 of 2

noun

ˈsər-(ˌ)pləs

as in overflow

the state or an instance of going beyond what is usual, proper, or needed we have a surplus of plastic knives, but we're short on forks and spoons for the picnic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 surplus

Adjective

Critics argue such arrangements force consumers to pay for surplus electricity, although Manga said such guarantees were necessary to secure financing for capital-intensive projects. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 Lake Mead is also the final resting place of a surplus WWII B-29 that crashed in 1948. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Noun

Beijing seems set on trying to preserve its surpluses for as long as possible. — Michael Pettis, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026 The number uses an unrealistic 2001 baseline that projected endless surpluses, as if the late-1990s revenue windfall would last forever. — Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surplus

Recent Examples of Synonyms for surplus

Adjective

The kidneys reabsorb the nutrients and excrete the excess or waste.

— Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 31 Aug. 2026
When oil prices are really high, oil companies can make a lot of excess profits.

— Julia Simon, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of excess

Noun

Allies packed the board’s meeting room at the school’s downtown Fort Lauderdale campus, with many settling for seating in an overflow room.

— Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
In the spring, when the snow is melting and the springs that are high up in the rock cliffs some miles away are carrying it down full speed, the ditches overflow as does the little creek that runs near my cabin.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of overflow

Adjective

There have been scattered instances of athletes returning to their previous school for the extra season, including two LSU women’s soccer players who are part of the case.

— Seth Emerson, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
The closure channeled extra traffic to and then backed up I-285 northbound on both sides of town from well before its two I-20 intersections.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of extra

Adjective

India still relies on Russia for some weapons and spare parts, but Moscow’s capacity to balance China has diminished.

— C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
Before the Medicaid cuts passed, a huge lobbying campaign to spare hospitals didn’t stop the law — and the cuts in some ways became more severe as lobbyists pressed lawmakers to reel them back.

— Daniel Payne, STAT, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of spare

Cite this Entry

Style

“Surplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surplus. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of surplus

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on surplus

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes