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

The lawsuit against the City of Chicago and the five officers involved in pulling Reed, 26, over on March 21 outlines 17 counts, including three counts of excessive force, wrongful death, and two violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act that hints at a key part of Reed’s past. —Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024

Trump’s legal team had argued that the damages awarded to Carroll in the defamation case were excessive. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2024

Weaknesses: Bossy, controlling, impulsive, intolerant, impatient, excessive. —Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024

There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated. —Angel Diaz, Billboard, 24 Apr. 2024

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki issued the strongest warning to date on Tuesday on the chance of intervention in the market, saying last week’s meeting with U.S. and South Korean counterparts had laid the groundwork for Tokyo to act against excessive yen moves. —Reuters, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024

The court sided with Timbs in an opinion authored by the late Justice Ginsburg, which argues that the forfeiture attempt violates the eighth amendment’s excessive fines clause. —Isabelle Kause, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Apr. 2024

Tossing has become turning Fast furniture’s association with cheaper materials, excessive packaging and frequent replacement clashes with consumers’ growing interest in minimizing our lasting impact on the planet. —Kim Cook, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024

However, underlying health conditions may be the cause of abnormal voiding. Diabetes, kidney disease, and sickle cell anemia are among the health conditions that may cause excessive urination. —Sarah Bradley, Health, 13 Apr. 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