excessive

adjective

ex·​ces·​sive ik-ˈse-siv How to pronounce excessive (audio)
: exceeding what is usual, proper, necessary, or normal
excessively adverb
excessiveness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of excessive in a Sentence

an excessive display of wealth High fever, nausea, and excessive sweating are some of the symptoms.
Recent Examples on the Web Tossing has become turning Fast furniture’s association with cheaper materials, excessive packaging and frequent replacement clashes with consumers’ growing interest in minimizing our lasting impact on the planet. Kim Cook, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024 However, underlying health conditions may be the cause of abnormal voiding. Diabetes, kidney disease, and sickle cell anemia are among the health conditions that may cause excessive urination. Sarah Bradley, Health, 13 Apr. 2024 Women, and the medical establishment, learned the hard way that the mesh could cause urogenital complications, excessive scarring and pain, and, in some cases, could even poke out through the skin. Catherine M. Klapperich, STAT, 12 Apr. 2024 Light pollution is defined as excessive light where it’s not needed, according to James Madison University of Virginia. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024 Then, a little more than a year later, the four officers charged with excessive force in the attack were shockingly acquitted. Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024 This type of gasoline is formulated to prevent excessive evaporation when temperatures warm. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024 The cost of repairing water damage skyrockets due to unnecessary mold tests, unnecessary consultants, delay in leak repair and drying (the typical cause of mold buildup), excessive demolition, unnecessary mold hunts, overuse of emergency contractors, and foregoing competitive repair bids. Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2024 Some environmentalists see corporations such as Disney as prime examples of capitalism run amok — of excessive consumerism and waste driving Earth to the brink of ecological catastrophe. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'excessive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of excessive was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near excessive

Cite this Entry

“Excessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excessive. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

excessive

adjective
ex·​ces·​sive ik-ˈses-iv How to pronounce excessive (audio)
: showing excess : too much
excessively adverb
excessiveness noun

Legal Definition

excessive

adjective
ex·​ces·​sive
: exceeding what is proper, necessary, or normal
specifically : being out of proportion to the offense
excessive bail

More from Merriam-Webster on excessive

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