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

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excessive amounts

extreme amounts

unnecessary amounts

copious amounts

unhealthy amounts

enormous amounts

excessive use

heavy use

frequent use

immoderate use

severe use

unnecessary use

excessive wear

extreme wear

significant wear

heavy wear

massive wear

considerable wear

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

Intentional feeding of bears is now prohibited, and farmers may seek permits to address excessive bear damage to crops or livestock. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025

From 2002 to 2016, hundreds of thousands of Wells Fargo’s Community Bank employees opened millions of unauthorized or fraudulent accounts and other financial products to meet excessive sales goals. —Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2025

Here are signs to watch out for: Visual Indicators: Mold, discoloration, or excessive oil separation (if processed) are signs it should be discarded. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 June 2025

Some locals in Venice, which has dealt with overtourism that has strained the city’s infrastructure and services for years, will protest the wedding over concerns its scale will worsen some of the issues created by excessive tourist crowds. —Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025