Synonyms of excessive

excessive

adjective

ik-ˈse-siv 

as in extreme

going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount

nerdy hackers who spend an excessive amount of time sitting in front of their computers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• extreme
• extravagant
• insane
• steep
• lavish
• undue
• infinite
• endless
• inordinate
• exorbitant
• inappropriate
• unbearable
• immoderate
• intolerable
• over-the-top
• baroque
• unconscionable
• fancy
• stiff
• improper
• overdue
• overweening
• plethoric
• overmuch
• unmerciful
• overextravagant
• devilish
• unwarranted
• towering
• a bit much
• limitless
• unjustifiable
• boundless
• immeasurable
• unseemly
• thick
• unrestrained

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reasonable
• moderate
• insufficient
• inadequate
• modest
• deficient
• minimum
• minimal
• middling
• temperate

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of excessive are exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, immoderate, and inordinate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

When is exorbitant a more appropriate choice than excessive?

The words exorbitant and excessive can be used in similar contexts, but exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

Where would extravagant be a reasonable alternative to excessive?

While the synonyms extravagant and excessive are close in meaning, extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

When might extreme be a better fit than excessive?

Although the words extreme and excessive 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 can immoderate be used instead of excessive?

The words immoderate and excessive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

When is it sensible to use inordinate instead of excessive?

The meanings of inordinate and excessive largely overlap; however, inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of excessive

Running a flat iron through—the fibers respond effortlessly, so hot tools deliver sleek results without constant upkeep or excessive heat. —Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025

The district put the system in place this school year out of concerns about excessive numbers of students in hallways during class time, Farner said. —Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025

In May 2022, a resident was diagnosed with actinic keratosis, a skin condition caused by excessive sun exposure. —Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025

The rule was put in place in 2001 amid the dot-com bubble and crash as regulators grew worried that small traders were taking excessive risks with volatile internet stocks. —Yun Li, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025