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
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
James Barron, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Today, that’s not a win as night power is cheaper, but soon mid-day power is going to be the cheapest, coming from surplus solar power.
—Brad Templeton, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2025
The United States’ $25.2 billion services surplus is often hidden by its $156.7 billion goods deficit.
—Jasmine Cui, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Adjective
Rogers did not say what cases officials planned to tackle first, though there have been reports of surplus weed grown in states like California and funneled into licensed stores in New York.
—James Barron, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Today, that’s not a win as night power is cheaper, but soon mid-day power is going to be the cheapest, coming from surplus solar power.
—Brad Templeton, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
Those controls have generated an average annual surplus of $1.8 billion since 2017, windfalls that have elevated the budget reserve to a record-setting $4.1 billion and helped retired more than $8.5 billion in pension debt.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2025
The United States’ $25.2 billion services surplus is often hidden by its $156.7 billion goods deficit.
—Jasmine Cui, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surplus
Adjective
-
Those that did not meet a target of 60% use rate over time would be directed to dispose of their excess space.—
Christopher L. Keller,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
-
These filters will catch the excess minerals before the water flows into the shower or sink.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that ICE is expanding its capacity with assistance from the U.S. Defense Department, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Prisons to manage the overflow.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Sanders’s biggest event was in Warren, Mich., where an overflow crowd of 9,000 gathered to see him and United Autoworkers President Shawn Fain.—
Jonathan Easley,
The Hill,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Charles points out that costs would include planes being out of place, the extra fuel required to move the planes and crew around, as well as extra costs for passengers, such as car hire and extra hotel accommodation.—
Tamara Hardingham-Gill,
CNN,
21 Mar. 2025
-
One of these absolutes is that idea that having walkable cities or towns means no cars, fewer cars, extra taxes or tolls on cars—basically any notion that feels like a punishment to car drivers.—
Megha Satyanarayana,
Scientific American,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
On the International Space Station, astronauts use 3D printers to make tools and spare parts, such as ratchet wrenches, clamps and brackets.—
Sven Bilén,
The Conversation,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Payton has finally given up the notion that three spare parts — Adam Trautman, Lucas Krull and Nate Adkins — equal one pass-catching V-8.—
Troy Renck,
The Denver Post,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surplus. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share