INORDINATE Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'inordinate' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of inordinate are excessive , exorbitant , extravagant , extreme , and immoderate . While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment. // inordinate pride

Q: When is 'excessive' a more appropriate choice than 'inordinate'?

The words excessive and inordinate can be used in similar contexts, but excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable. // excessive punishment

Q: When could 'exorbitant' be used to replace 'inordinate'?

The words exorbitant and inordinate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree. // exorbitant prices

Q: When can 'extravagant' be used instead of 'inordinate'?

The meanings of extravagant and inordinate largely overlap; however, extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste. // extravagant claims for the product

Q: Where would 'extreme' be a reasonable alternative to 'inordinate'?

Although the words extreme and inordinate have much in common, extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree. // extreme shyness

Q: When is it sensible to use 'immoderate' instead of 'inordinate'?

The synonyms immoderate and inordinate are sometimes interchangeable, but immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint. // immoderate spending

inordinate

adjective

in-ˈȯr-də-nət

Definition of inordinate

as in excessive

going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount an inordinate number of complaints about the slow pace of snow removal around the city

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How is the word inordinate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of inordinate are excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, and immoderate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

When is excessive a more appropriate choice than inordinate?

The words excessive and inordinate can be used in similar contexts, but excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

When could exorbitant be used to replace inordinate?

The words exorbitant and inordinate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

When can extravagant be used instead of inordinate?

The meanings of extravagant and inordinate largely overlap; however, extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

Where would extreme be a reasonable alternative to inordinate?

Although the words extreme and inordinate have much in common, extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

When is it sensible to use immoderate instead of inordinate?

The synonyms immoderate and inordinate are sometimes interchangeable, but immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

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 inordinate Families spend an inordinate amount of time navigating systems that should be working together to serve children, but often aren’t. — Heather Hollingsworth, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 Families spend an inordinate amount of time navigating systems that should be working together to serve children, but often aren’t. — CNN Money, 18 June 2026 Everything felt loud and inordinate; my initial apprehension was confirmed by the exhibition’s installation design. — James Quandt, Artforum, 2 June 2026 There's no doubt that the media played an inordinate role in allowing COVID-19 mandates and restrictions to start, expand, and continue well beyond any reasonable justification. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for inordinate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inordinate

Adjective

Last month, six women interviewed by the Times described concerning behavior by Platner, including excessive drinking, infidelity, and, in one account, physical intimidation.

— Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Black residents of the city have expressed fear of harassment and concerns about trading high crime for excessive policing.

— Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 6 July 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

The National Weather Service said cool air from the north will push the heat dome, responsible for a heat wave that started midweek, south and west in the coming days, relieving some of the most extreme temperatures in the Northeast.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 July 2026
The laminate reinforces the glass to create a shatter-resistant barrier, preventing shards of glass from flying out during extreme weather.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of extreme

Adjective

That marks a steep decline of 74% from the movie's already-poor $37 million debut, a much bigger drop than is typical for a summer superhero film.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 5 July 2026
In the tourney, Zellers had five goals and three assists in five games and made a steep climb up the depth chart.

— Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 5 July 2026

Definition of steep

Adjective

For example, Fred Again is absolutely doing insane things with the MPC Lives.

— Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 30 June 2026
That dwarfs anything the powerhouse Spain teams did in the early 2010s, when the team was known for stringing together an insane number of passes that led to a goal.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2026

Definition of insane

Adjective

There is always a suspension of disbelief required in luxury fashion, as designers use the runway to communicate their most extravagant, pie-in-the-sky vision of what clothes could be.

— Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Davis was known to the world for his extravagant style and lavish Grammy parties.

— Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Definition of extravagant

Browse Nearby Words

in order

inordinate

inordinately

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“Inordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inordinate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of inordinate

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