as in excesses
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
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Recent Examples of surpluses
Ritter’s proposal came several hours before the legislature’s nonpartisan fiscal office projected an operating deficit of nearly $30 million in the state’s general fund — a sharp contrast from the booming surpluses of the past seven years.
—
Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026
Over the course of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s term, CPS has lurched from budget crisis to budget crisis, able only to muddle through due to record-breaking mayoral declarations of tax-increment-financing surpluses.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
That money built up other countries’ economies or sloshed around as financial surpluses that fueled financial market exuberance and asset bubbles that could suddenly pop.
—Amy Myers Jaffe, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
These surpluses were credited to the OASI trust fund.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
San Diego officials say this is groundbreaking stuff in the water world, creating new mechanisms and legal frameworks to transfer water from where there are surpluses to where there’s need.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Inflation followed and hit a high of 9%, weakening the dollar and repricing government debt to match expected future primary surpluses.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
For many reasons Texans are overtaxed as witnessed by the governor claiming surpluses.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs each have infield surpluses, making players like Isaac Paredes, Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw logical targets.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026
Over the course of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s term, CPS has lurched from budget crisis to budget crisis, able only to muddle through due to record-breaking mayoral declarations of tax-increment-financing surpluses.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
That money built up other countries’ economies or sloshed around as financial surpluses that fueled financial market exuberance and asset bubbles that could suddenly pop.
—Amy Myers Jaffe, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
These surpluses were credited to the OASI trust fund.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
San Diego officials say this is groundbreaking stuff in the water world, creating new mechanisms and legal frameworks to transfer water from where there are surpluses to where there’s need.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Inflation followed and hit a high of 9%, weakening the dollar and repricing government debt to match expected future primary surpluses.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
For many reasons Texans are overtaxed as witnessed by the governor claiming surpluses.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs each have infield surpluses, making players like Isaac Paredes, Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw logical targets.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surpluses
Noun
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Lamont has been a leading national voice in opposing Trumpian excesses such as high tariffs, environmental rollbacks, and cuts to healthcare.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Trump supporters are calling out his excesses, while suburban moms join ICE Watch groups.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Houston Chronicle,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And in places where sewage and rain flow through the same pipes, heavy rains made worse by climate change can make overflows to waterways more frequent and severe.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The overflows have triggered a number of recreational and shellfish harvesting advisories along the Potomac.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surpluses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surpluses. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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