excessive

adjective

ex·​ces·​sive ik-ˈse-siv 

: exceeding what is usual, proper, necessary, or normal

excessively adverb

excessiveness noun

Synonyms

• baroque
• devilish
• exorbitant
• extravagant
• extreme
• fancy
• immoderate
• inordinate
• insane
• intolerable
• lavish
• overdue
• overextravagant
• overmuch
• overweening
• plethoric
• steep
• stiff
• towering
• unconscionable
• undue
• unmerciful

Choose the Right Synonym for excessive

excessive, immoderate, inordinate, extravagant, exorbitant, extreme mean going beyond a normal limit.

excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

Examples of excessive in a Sentence

an excessive display of wealth

High fever, nausea, and excessive sweating are some of the symptoms.

Recent Examples on the Web

Up to 10 inches of rain expected in some parts of Florida All of Florida’s Big Bend and parts of southwestern Georgia have at least a moderate risk of excessive rainfall over the next five days, according to the Weather Prediction Center. —Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024

While oversight is necessary, excessive bureaucracy can hinder agility. —Sherzod Odilov, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

Cash believes Duncan used excessive force against his client and his actions were the result of self defense. —Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 23 Sep. 2024

The world recognizes that excessive concentration in any one region is fraught with serious risks, Goyal added. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

excessive

adjective

ex·​ces·​sive ik-ˈses-iv 

: showing excess : too much

excessively adverb

excessiveness noun

Legal Definition

excessive

adjective

ex·​ces·​sive

: exceeding what is proper, necessary, or normal

specifically : being out of proportion to the offense

excessive bail