surplusage

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In discussing the 14th Amendment, Mr. Barnett fairly shows that the phrase “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” isn’t empty surplusage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Some of that surplusage is sold by private surplus retailers.

From Seattle Times • May 19, 2024

But “our preference for avoiding surplusage constructions is not absolute.”

From MSNBC • Jun. 25, 2015

Therefore, argues Mr. Hurja, Roosevelt is certain of re-election and any states he carries in the Northeast will be surplusage.

From Time Magazine Archive

A city directory would have been a surplusage, and we flattered the "garcon" by seeming to believe everything he said, exclaiming "Oh my!"

From Shakspere, Personal Recollections by Joyce, John A.