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

The fruit is cooked using industrial steam evaporators, which cook off excess water, concentrating the natural flavors and the color. — Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Chronic inflammation, though, can develop over time and may be caused by factors such as excess fat cells or smoking. — Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2026

Noun

The core of the series is the friction between two neighbors—an old-money member of Parliament and a newly rich TV network owner—against the backdrop of the decade's excesses. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026

Why are so many Florida legislators hot to go after city and county spending, rather than tackle the excesses that flow from the state Capitol every year? — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 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