Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

excessive

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of excessive

going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
  • nerdy hackers who spend an excessive amount of time sitting in front of their computers
Synonyms of excessive

devilish, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, fancy, immoderate, inordinate, insane, intolerable, lavish, overdue, overextravagant, overmuch, overweening, plethoric, steep, stiff, towering, unconscionable, undue, unmerciful
Words Related to excessive

boundless, endless, immeasurable, infinite, limitless

unbearable, unjustifiable, unwarranted

improper, inappropriate, thick, unseemly

unrestrained
Phrases Synonymous with excessive

a bit much, over the top
Near Antonyms of excessive

deficient, inadequate, insufficient

minimal, minimum
Antonyms of excessive

middling, moderate, modest, reasonable, temperate

Synonym Discussion of 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

Learn More about excessive

  1. See words that rhyme with excessive Dictionary: Definition of excessive Spanish Central: Translation of excessive Nglish: Translation of excessive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of excessive for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up excessive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games