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 simplest metrics of success at the RRC will be increasing energy production in Texas while lowering energy costs and reducing the number of orphaned wells and excess flaring permits in our state. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2026

Sullivan touted his Bycatch Reduction Act, a bill intended to reduce excess fish caught by large commercial trawlers. — Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Noun

His conservatism was seen by many as an antidote to the excesses of the 1960s and 1970s. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

The DynaTAC quickly became an emblem of 1980s ambition and excess, a communications device that doubled as a badge of executive clout. — Robb Report, 9 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