as in excess
being over what is needed
surplus stock gets shipped to the warehouse and is eventually sold at auction
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of surplus
Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
It was later revealed that the surplus claim was based on revenue estimates that were wrong by $165 billion over four years, leading to multibillion-dollar budget deficits.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Tariff revenue surplus The Treasury Department reported an unexpected surplus for June, with a boost from tariff revenue.
—Lorie Konish,kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Adjective
If scholarship requests are not received, the surplus money is given to the department to buy unbudgeted items, Stanley said.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
It was later revealed that the surplus claim was based on revenue estimates that were wrong by $165 billion over four years, leading to multibillion-dollar budget deficits.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
Noun
The surplus of sixth-round picks could be useful in the coming weeks if the Giants want to make a trade for a veteran to upgrade their depth.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Tariff revenue surplus The Treasury Department reported an unexpected surplus for June, with a boost from tariff revenue.
—Lorie Konish,kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surplus
Adjective
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These excess nutrients, plus stagnant water and warm temperatures all seem to increase the frequency of toxic algal blooms, according to Lake Monroe’s watershed management plan.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
18 Aug. 2025
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Surgical options may be considered if conservative treatments do not provide sufficient relief, including the repair of affected structures or the drainage of excess fluid.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Hundreds of people filled a committee room and two overflow rooms in a Texas House office building Monday for a hearing over a pair of bills that would restrict the sale of consumable hemp products in the state.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Police have worked with both the brewery and mosque to find a solution, King Jugg has offered shuttles from remote parking and the mosque has tried to steer overflow visitors to a nearby parking lot — but none have eased the problem.—
John Tuohy,
IndyStar,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Superintendent Myriam Rogers said a union poll showed more teachers wanted to have a half-day on Thanksgiving than an extra day in the school year.—
Racquel Bazos,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Aug. 2025
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Green Bay had 10 extra days of above-average summer temperatures, Milwaukee's had eight, totaling 38 days of above-average heat.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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So often, as for the opener in the Champions League final, one of PSG’s full-backs becomes the spare, untracked player in the box.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
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Your 5-year-old son will find the box full of Sharpies and decide to redecorate your spare bedroom, an hour before your in-laws arrive for a week’s visit.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surplus. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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