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

Examples 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 To no one’s surprise, when looking at programming genres, New Mom’s spent an inordinate amount of time with content targeting children. Brad Adgate, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Individual drivers spend an inordinate amount of time in cities driving around, looking for a spot to park. Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024 After de Bont shared that 11 buses were used for filming, Reeves joked about the inordinate amount of cameras on the vehicles. Lisa Respers France, CNN, 9 Oct. 2024 These countries are extremely sensitive about any perception that China has an inordinate influence on their ethnic Chinese populations—especially recalling the history of China’s support for communist insurgencies in Southeast Asia until the early 1980s. Lee Hsien Loong, Foreign Affairs, 4 June 2020 See all Example Sentences for inordinate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inordinate
Adjective
  • What’s more, research also shows there's a sweet spot in AI politeness - excessive formality doesn't yield better results, but professional courtesy consistently does.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli, causing our senses to work overtime on what is not necessary or important.
    Shira Gill, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The question asks whether to remove the state superintendent of public instruction from the list of top state officials who would step into the governor’s role under extreme circumstances.
    Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
  • What might another extreme attack on the U.S. electoral system look like?
    Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Yet, these Apple Watch Solo Loop bands come with a steep discount, giving users a multitude of options.
    Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
  • The stock gained 12% Monday, rebounding from three days of steep losses last week.
    Matt Egan, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
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
Adjective
  • Combs' former birthday parties included red carpet entrances, extravagant cakes, and an A-list guest list including the Kardashian/Jenner family, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Pharrell, Usher, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, and Ivana Trump.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Known for her extravagant Halloween costumes over the years, Klum and her husband Tom arrived as female and male versions of E.T. from Steven Spielberg's 1982 film E.T.
    Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near inordinate

Cite this Entry

“Inordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inordinate. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on inordinate

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