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

Neighbors ate from the garden, and excess produce went to a food bank in Folsom. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026

And when heavy rain hits, the larger root structures can absorb excess water that would otherwise run off and erode the soil. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Noun

In developing a multitool to slide neatly into its latest generation of EDC offerings, The James Brand took time to reflect upon which tools were absolutely necessary for its customers and which ones could be eliminated to cut bulk and excess. — New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026

If your body has an excess of water-soluble vitamins, the kidneys will not reabsorb them. — Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 31 Aug. 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