SURPLUS Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

surplus 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of surplus

as in excess

being over what is needed surplus stock gets shipped to the warehouse and is eventually sold at auction

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surplus

2 of 2

noun

ˈsər-(ˌ)pləs

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

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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

Adjective

Highstock, a business-to-business marketplace that helps beauty brands sell surplus inventory to vetted business buyers, has raised a $30 million series A, led by venture capital firm a16z. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026 MedShare volunteer program manager Tonya Grant explains how surplus medical supplies are inspected, sorted and prepared for distribution inside the nonprofit's Decatur warehouse. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026

Noun

If the council votes to declare the land surplus, there would be a 60-day period during which interested parties could express their interest in purchasing the land, followed by a 90-day period of negotiations. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026 And the Eagles have a surplus of backups in Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surplus

Recent Examples of Synonyms for surplus

Adjective

Economists and energy business experts say the oil companies would have to store the excess diesel for a while.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
The project is interconnected with the Southern California Edison grid, meaning excess energy may be exported as well as allowing the parks to draw energy from the project when needed.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of excess

Noun

Your overflow of coffee table books,backup candles, and other living room miscellany can find a home in this sideboard that can anchor your entryway or moonlight as an entertainment console.

— Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
The restaurant was so popular that in 1955, Sewell opened a second location, Pizzeria Due, to handle the overflow.

— Edward Robert McClelland, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of overflow

Adjective

High-income investors can get extra bang for their buck from buying tax-exempt municipal bonds or using the selloff to harvest tax losses and reinvest in better-yielding debt, according to Jason Katz of UBS.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
The House Democrats’ campaign arm is now plowing extra resources into the gerrymandered seat in Tennessee.

— Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of extra

Adjective

France's education ministry is in the process of urgently contacting around 3,000 spare teachers who could be sent to schools with the most pressing needs, often located in low-income areas, said Education Minister Edouard Geffray.

— Makini Brice, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
As for the kits, each weighed between 121 pounds (55 kg) and 143 pounds (65 kg) and contained tools, spare parts, and other materials for specific tasks.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of spare

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“Surplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surplus. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of surplus

adjective

noun

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