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 The Ravens weren’t winning because coach John Harbaugh was playing his starters an inordinate amount. Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024 To Meeting Excel Users' Needs To keep spreadsheet-loving users happy, data teams spend an inordinate amount of time trying to help users export data instead of being able to connect them directly to a data platform. Artyom Keydunov, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 She, who’s been running a guest house back home in Korea since your father passed, and leaves you an inordinate number of voicemails trying to match you with any handsome visiting Canadians. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2024 Brandon Lowe, 30, 2B, Bledsoe: The left-handed-hitting Lowe has exceptional power for a second baseman, but he’s spent an inordinate amount of time on the injured list, playing more than 110 games just once in seven seasons with the Rays. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inordinate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inordinate
Adjective
  • However, being unable to control excessive behaviors can cause people to stretch beyond their means and compromise their well-being and personal sustainability.
    Sandro da Silva, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Even excessive salt consumption on a single occasion can cause fragmented sleep patterns in some people.25 Long-Term Complications The main concern about eating too much salt is its impact on your blood pressure and heart.
    James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, MD, Verywell Health, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • There’s no getting around that this is an extreme version of an already extreme watch, so this is not for the faint of heart.
    Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 13 Dec. 2024
  • In more extreme cases, Dr. Romanoff warns that codependency can manifest in controlling behaviors.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Hike along the Beagle Channel on the Senda Costera, or push yourself on the steep Cerro Guanaco Trail for awe-inspiring views of mountains plunging into icy waters.
    Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other government ministers met with provincial premiers to discuss Trump's pledge to impose steep tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports after he is sworn in as president in January.
    Nia Williams and Ismail Shakil, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 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
  • Social media footage also has shown Syrians touring the Assads’ opulent estates, revealing extravagant decor and possessions out of reach for many who lived through the country’s civil war since 2011.
    Sally Abou Aljoud, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024
  • Every year, the Kardashian-Jenners host an extravagant Christmas Eve bash equipped with over-the-top decorations and activities at one of their sprawling Southern California mansions.
    Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 14 Dec. 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 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on inordinate

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