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
Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
With grant money from the Lucky Duck Foundation, the nonprofit Salvation Army hires residents of its homeless shelter and trains them as food rescue route drivers for nonprofit Feeding San Diego, collecting surplus food from grocery stores and businesses that would otherwise go to waste.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
Sara Sutherland, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
Fewer shoppers means the Galvezes now have a surplus of quinceañera ball gowns.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Adjective
In his letter, Markey said using surplus plutonium to produce energy would be significantly more expensive than diluting and disposing of it — the method the federal government was previously using to deal with the waste.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
With grant money from the Lucky Duck Foundation, the nonprofit Salvation Army hires residents of its homeless shelter and trains them as food rescue route drivers for nonprofit Feeding San Diego, collecting surplus food from grocery stores and businesses that would otherwise go to waste.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
Noun
Now, other western states are pointing to the water surplus as proof that desalination works and even pushing for federal subsidies to build more plants along the California coast.
—Sara Sutherland, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
Fewer shoppers means the Galvezes now have a surplus of quinceañera ball gowns.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surplus
Adjective
-
Avoid washing the vegetable until ready to use, as excess moisture can promote spoilage.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
-
Others spend hundreds of millions only to be left with excess inventory, eroded margins and consumers who have already moved on.—
Keren Novack,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
After a perfect drive on 18, Korda took the walk that so many champions have taken, strolling up Riviera’s famed 18th fairway, staring at the overflow crowd sitting around the green that was waiting to cheer her victory.—
Bob Buttitta,
Daily News,
8 June 2026
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Later this summer, McFadden plans to reopen a former juvenile jail and keep adults there to manage overflow.—
Ryan Oehrli,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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The Statesman reported last December that Boise police provided extra security to Mayor Lauren McLean after Fitzpatrick offered a minimum $10,000 reward for information that could lead to her arrest and conviction — for unidentified crimes.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
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Even with all those extra teams – there’s 48 in this year’s tournament, up 16 from recent editions – there will still be the surprises and upsets that make every World Cup special.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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The menu offers many of the original’s most famous dishes, like the beloved lobster pancakes and lamb spare ribs.—
Connie Ogle
June 11,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
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Steyer, for his part, made Whitman look like a piker, breaking all national records by finding $216 million in his spare-change drawer.—
Garry South,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surplus. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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