excessive

adjective

ik-ˈse-siv How to pronounce excessive (audio)
Definition of excessivenext
as in extreme
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 & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Try This Instead

For
Try This
excessive amounts
extreme amounts
unnecessary amounts
copious amounts
unhealthy amounts
enormous amounts
excessive use
excessive wear
extreme wear
heavy wear
massive wear

Synonym Chooser

How is the word excessive different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of excessive are exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, immoderate, and inordinate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

When is exorbitant a more appropriate choice than excessive?

The words exorbitant and excessive can be used in similar contexts, but exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

Where would extravagant be a reasonable alternative to excessive?

While the synonyms extravagant and excessive are close in meaning, extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

When might extreme be a better fit than excessive?

Although the words extreme and excessive have much in common, extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

When can immoderate be used instead of excessive?

The words immoderate and excessive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

When is it sensible to use inordinate instead of excessive?

The meanings of inordinate and excessive largely overlap; however, inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of excessive Dominguez’s widow sued Pina and the department, winning $1 million in damages in 2023 after a federal civil jury found the officer had used excessive force. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025 Those affiliates were serving duplicative roles, which caused the company to pay excessive consulting service fees, according to the February complaint. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025 According to the millennial fashionista, in the summer, office air conditioning is often on so a wool or cashmere cardigan is necessary, while in the winter, excessive heating means layers are essential. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025 Sixty-one percent of Americans believe that excessive apologizing diminishes the impact of a sincere apology. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for excessive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excessive
  1. extreme
  2. extravagant
  3. insane
  4. steep
  5. lavish
Adjective
  • The extreme selling on Thursday and Friday revealed that over 90% of the stocks on the NYSE declined and over 90% of the volume was declining volume.
    — Tom Aspray, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The extreme weather has also destroyed several homes and caused significant damage to structures, Fox Weather and Fox 10 reported.
    — Latoya Gayle, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of extreme
Adjective
  • Others lean into extravagant brunch dishes to nourish and impress, like Roasted Tomato Quiche or Stuffed Ham-And-Cheese Croissant Casserole.
    — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Nothing today is lavished with such extravagant design.
    — Raphael Orlove, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of extravagant
Adjective
  • Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.
    — Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The emu egg—a two pound, eight-inch ovoid with a sultry teal shell gently speckled in pale green—seemed like just the right absurdist final flourish for an already insane endeavor.
    — Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of insane
Adjective
  • And in January 2024, a steep entertainment tax on services by karaoke bars, spas, and nightclubs had been proposed, though that was scrapped the next month after backlash from local businesses.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Hop aboard one of the town’s white Volkswagen Beetle taxis to navigate the steep streets, or take the cable car to Hotel Montetaxco—a fine place for views of Taxco rooftops and to rest your head for the night.
    — Meagan Drillinger, AFAR Media, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of steep
Adjective
  • In addition to a high-end spa and thriving dining scene, this lavish property is perfectly equipped to showcase the fascinating flora and fauna that calls Madagascar home, with some of the earth’s most iconic creatures making an appearance at the property each year.
    — Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • In another piece, a lavish sautoir with a rope-like chain is adorned with a 17-carat pink tourmaline and a white opal of over 12 carats, and holds a dial made of fiery red ruby root — the raw base material to which rubies are attached.
    — Milena Lazazzera, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of lavish

Browse Nearby Words

excessing
excessive
excessively
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Excessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excessive. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on excessive

Nglish: Translation of excessive for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All