1
a
: the state or an instance of surpassing usual, proper, or specified limits : superfluity
b
: the amount or degree by which one thing or quantity exceeds another
an excess of 10 bushels
2
: undue or immoderate indulgence : intemperance
also
: an act or instance of intemperance
prevent excesses and abuses by newly created local powers —
Albert Shanker
Albert Shanker
: more than the usual, proper, or specified amount
excessed; excessing; excesses
: to eliminate the position of
excessed several teachers because of budget cutbacks
Synonyms
Examples of excess in a Sentence
Noun
They were equipped with an excess of provisions.
The tests found an excess of sodium in his blood.
He lived a life of excess.
The movie embraces all the worst excesses of popular American culture.
the violent excesses of the military regime
He apologized for his past excesses.
Adjective
Basketball provided an outlet for their excess energy.
She is trying to eliminate excess fat and calories from her diet.
Recent Examples on the WebSarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2024
Ah, Sober October – that alliterative time of year when some people like to take a break from drinking, perhaps to atone for the excesses of summer, or to prepare for the excesses of the holiday season.
—Jeanne O'Brien Coffey, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
The company bought hundreds of millions of dollars of excess reinsurance from parent State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. over the past decade, while getting little back in return, according to Consumer Watchdog, a Los Angeles group that is challenging the hike.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024
Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2023
Over the past few months, my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 17 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for excess 
Noun
Dip one of the cutlets into the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip into the egg, and then into the panko mixture, gently pressing to adhere.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2024
Ah, Sober October – that alliterative time of year when some people like to take a break from drinking, perhaps to atone for the excesses of summer, or to prepare for the excesses of the holiday season.
—Jeanne O'Brien Coffey, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Adjective
On-site renewables, when paired with battery storage systems, allow data centers to store excess energy and deploy it during peak demand periods or outages.
—Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
The company bought hundreds of millions of dollars of excess reinsurance from parent State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. over the past decade, while getting little back in return, according to Consumer Watchdog, a Los Angeles group that is challenging the hike.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
Over the past few months my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2023
Over the past few months, my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 17 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for excess
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'excess.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excess. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
excess
2 of 2 adjective
: more than what is usual, acceptable, or needed
excess baggage
an outlet for their excess energy
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