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2
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
-
With this panoramic view of the body, doctors may spot big problems, like a large tumor.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Power Rangers Mystic Force star Peta Rutter died of a brain tumor in 2010, and even more actors who appeared on the series — Edward Laurence Albert, Robert L. Manahan, Machiko Soga, and Richard Genelle — have passed of natural causes.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Doctors later discovered that Figari’s stroke was caused by a previously undetected congenital heart defect called a patent foramen ovale (PFO), in which a hole between the left and right chambers of the heart is left open as opposed to closing after birth, according to Penn Medicine.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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With the help of this technology, defects were significantly reduced.—
Michael Amori,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The appearance of lumps, wart-like growths, or open sores that don't heal within a few weeks is also a significant sign.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2025
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However, during a physical provided by the WTA, the governing body of women’s tennis, the following year, another doctor encouraged Dabrowski to get the lump scanned.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But this season, the one with the 4-15-0 blotch on the calendar from late November to early January, there’s no way to feel OK about Sunday.—
Arthur Staple,
The Athletic,
17 Mar. 2025
-
The fish have white faces with a black blotch in front of the eyes, according to the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Countless Black women, like Justice, live with the long-term mental and physical scars of pregnancy and birth.—
Essence,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The 44-year-old actress and breast cancer survivor opened up about her scars being visible during intimate scenes, while promoting their new Apple TV+ drama series Your Friends and Neighbors.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The rare genetic bone disorder makes people more susceptible to breaking and fracturing bones and leads to bone deformities and a curved spine, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
18 Mar. 2025
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However, the improper disposal of the toxic waste led to dozens of children being born with limb deformities.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excrescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excrescence. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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