Synonyms of excess

excess 1 of 3

adjective

as in extra

being over what is needed

any excess food from the party will be donated to a shelter for the homeless

Synonyms & Similar Words

• extra
• surplus
• spare
• additional
• unwanted
• unnecessary
• superfluous
• redundant
• supernumerary
• supererogatory
• ample
• supplementary
• unneeded
• supplemental
• accessory
• needless
• extraneous
• nonessential
• plentiful
• abundant
• copious
• unessential
• gratuitous
• bountiful
• dispensable
• plenteous
• uncalled-for
• de trop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insufficient
• inadequate
• short
• meager
• deficient
• scarce
• poor
• scant
• sparse
• scanty
• skimpy
• shortish

excess

2 of 3

noun

ik-ˈses 

1

as in surplus

the state or an instance of going beyond what is usual, proper, or needed

a new television season with an excess of sitcoms featuring wisecracking teenagers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surplus
• abundance
• overflow
• sufficiency
• overabundance
• surplusage
• overage
• surfeit
• oversupply
• superabundance
• superfluity
• plus
• overplus
• fat
• plethora
• overkill
• plenty
• redundancy
• bounty
• overmuch
• bellyful
• overproduction
• profusion
• plentitude
• overstock

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deficiency
• deficit
• insufficiency
• lack
• scarcity
• undersupply
• dearth
• want

2

as in excessiveness

a propensity for extremes in one's actions, beliefs, or habits

the wretched excess that is so often found in the world of show business

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excessiveness
• immoderation
• extremism
• exorbitance
• extravagance
• intemperance
• immoderacy
• unreasonableness
• irrationality
• nimiety
• prodigality
• radicalism
• insobriety
• intemperateness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• moderation
• temperance
• temperateness
• moderateness

excess

3 of 3

verb

as in to lay off

Related Words

• lay off
• sack
• trim
• remove
• downsize
• can
• ax
• turn off
• dismiss
• muster out
• discharge
• retire
• furlough
• terminate
• fire
• bounce
• pink-slip
• release
• kick out
• throw out
• boot (out)
• chuck (out)
• unseat
• cashier
• drum (out)
• separate

Dissimilar Words

• retain
• employ
• engage
• sign (up or on)
• take on
• keep
• hire
• contract
• reemploy
• recruit
• subcontract
• rehire

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of excess

Adjective

Lightly mist the floor rather than pouring or soaking, and follow with a microfiber mop that traps dirt without leaving excess moisture behind. — Martha Stewart, 8 Aug. 2026

In simplest terms, fatty liver is a result of excess fat buildup in the liver. — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

Noun

In recent years, officials in cities such as San Francisco and Philadelphia have moved to rein in the excesses of harm-reduction policies. — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Take Derrida, whose brand of deconstruction came to stand for both the grandest insights and worst excesses of theory. — Emily Eakin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026

Verb

Over the past few months my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening. — Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2023

You’ve been quoted as saying that that is really what the film is about — not so much drinking to excess as embracing the uncontrollable. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2021