surcharge

1 of 2

verb

sur·​charge ˈsər-ˌchärj How to pronounce surcharge (audio)
surcharged; surcharging; surcharges
Synonyms of surchargenext

transitive verb

1
a
: overcharge
b
: to charge an extra fee
c
: to show an omission in (an account) for which credit ought to have been given
2
British : overstock
3
: to fill or load to excess
the atmosphere … was surcharged with war hysteria—H. A. Chippendale
4
a
: to mark a surcharge on (a stamp)
b
: overprint
surcharge a banknote

surcharge

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: an additional tax, cost, or impost
b
: an extra fare
a sleeping car surcharge
c
: an instance of surcharging an account
2
: an excessive load or burden
3
: the action of surcharging : the state of being surcharged
4
a(1)
: an overprint on a stamp
specifically : one that alters the denomination
(2)
: a stamp bearing such an overprint
b
: an overprint on a currency note

Did you know?

The Arab oil embargo of 1973 led airlines to add fuel surcharges to their passenger fares that were large enough to discourage air travel. Surcharges are usually added for special service. When you request a "rush job" from a service supplier, it will probably bring a surcharge along with it. A particularly difficult phone installation may carry a surcharge. An extra-large fine for a speeding offense after you've already had too many tickets could be called a surcharge. An added tax may be called a surcharge (or surtax) when it only affects people with incomes above a certain level. And if those low, low prices that show up in really big letters in ads for all kinds of services turn out to be misleading, it's probably because they don't include a bunch of surcharges that you won't find out about till later.

Synonyms

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of surcharge in a Sentence

Verb contends that with the present tax structure, the state's lower-income residents are being surcharged and the wealthiest residents are getting off too lightly Noun The airline has added a $20 fuel surcharge on all international flights.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Robins said the company considered multiple different options before settling on the winnings surcharge. —Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 2 Aug. 2024 Homeowners would not be surcharged for commercial losses. —Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2024
Noun
Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, Peet's Coffee, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Tim Hortons also have surcharges. —Kelly Tyko, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024 But other drinks made with milk in the standard recipe, such as lattes, currently have surcharges. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for surcharge 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French surcharger, from sur- + charger to load, charge — more at charge entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of surcharge was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near surcharge

surcease

surcharge

surcingle

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Surcharge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surcharge. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

surcharge

1 of 2 verb
sur·​charge ˈsər-ˌchärj How to pronounce surcharge (audio)
1
a
: overcharge sense 1
b
: to charge an extra fee
2
: overload entry 1
3
: to mark a new value or a surcharge on a stamp

surcharge

2 of 2 noun
1
: an additional tax or charge
2
: a burden that is too great
3
a
: a mark on top of a stamp that changes the value
b
: a stamp bearing such a mark

Legal Definition

surcharge

1 of 2 transitive verb
sur·​charge ˈsər-ˌchärj How to pronounce surcharge (audio)
1
: to impose a surcharge on
surcharge a trustee for failing to exercise due care
2
: to show an omission in (an account) for which credit ought to have been given

surcharge

2 of 2 noun
1
: an additional or excessive charge
2
: a penalty imposed on a fiduciary for failing to exercise due care in the management of assets

More from Merriam-Webster on surcharge

Nglish: Translation of surcharge for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of surcharge for Arabic Speakers

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