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
Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
The balance sheet discussion could get a bit technical in the form of the choice of reduction (roll-offs or active sales), which securities (Treasuries or Mortgage Backed Securities) and whether the resulting decline in surplus liquidity could trigger another 2019-like crisis in the repo market.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
This story was updated to clarify Badri’s comments about Dubai’s fiscal surplus.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Adjective
Our bodies could then invest the surplus energy this saved into ganglia rather than guts, into frontal lobes instead of food.
—Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
The balance sheet discussion could get a bit technical in the form of the choice of reduction (roll-offs or active sales), which securities (Treasuries or Mortgage Backed Securities) and whether the resulting decline in surplus liquidity could trigger another 2019-like crisis in the repo market.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
The surplus turned out to be a mirage, based on a $165 billion error in revenue estimates over four years.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
This story was updated to clarify Badri’s comments about Dubai’s fiscal surplus.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surplus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surplus
Adjective
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Pointed leaf tips are actually an advantage in shady environments where excess water on leaves could lead to fungus problems.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
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Another Section 301 investigation related to industrial excess capacity, also launched in March, will see similar public hearings next week.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Use it as a shoe rack in an entryway, a spot to display potted plants, or a pantry organizer for overflow.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
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Many do hire more doctors and nurses and orderlies in the ER to confront the overflow.—
Elisabeth Rosenthal,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That can range from an extra $5 for the same-day delivery of flowers to $20 for overnight chocolates.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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The mayor’s office says the measure would provide additional tax revenue for the city and extra beds for visitors during the 2028 Summer Olympics, with the measure expiring at the end of that year.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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On that note, anyone have a spare million or two?—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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On-site assembly and integration of ITER project To manage technical risks, the project included a seventh spare module.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surplus. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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