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 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 Ownership has placed an inordinate pressure on a coaching phenomenon. James Jackson, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025 Case managers and special education teachers spend an inordinate amount of time writing and updating IEPs, leaving less time for direct student interaction. Scott White, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inordinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inordinate
Adjective
  • Remove excessive quantities of tree leaves from home lawns before mowing. 20.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Sixty-one percent of Americans believe that excessive apologizing diminishes the impact of a sincere apology.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Temperature Painting during extreme cold or extreme heat can compromise the paint.
    Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Mar. 2025
  • These conditions will lead to extreme fire behavior!
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • And in January 2024, a steep entertainment tax on services by karaoke bars, spas, and nightclubs had been proposed, though that was scrapped the next month after backlash from local businesses.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Hop aboard one of the town’s white Volkswagen Beetle taxis to navigate the steep streets, or take the cable car to Hotel Montetaxco—a fine place for views of Taxco rooftops and to rest your head for the night.
    Meagan Drillinger, AFAR Media, 28 Mar. 2025
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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Inordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inordinate. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on inordinate

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