excessive

adjective

ex·​ces·​sive ik-ˈse-siv 

: exceeding what is usual, proper, necessary, or normal

excessively adverb

excessiveness noun

Synonyms

• baroque
• devilish
• exorbitant
• extravagant
• extreme
• fancy
• immoderate
• inordinate
• insane
• intolerable
• lavish
• overdue
• overextravagant
• overmuch
• overweening
• plethoric
• steep
• stiff
• towering
• unconscionable
• undue
• unmerciful

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

The company also said damages sought by the plaintiffs are barred by law and/or are unconstitutional based on provisions on due process and excessive fines in the U.S. Constitution and applicable portions of the state constitution. —Penny Weaver, arkansasonline.com, 2 Jan. 2025

This excessive trust makes our organizations more vulnerable to basic human biases. —Adam Ennamli, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

People with this diagnosis accumulate an excessive amount of things, such as household goods, craft supplies, even pets. —Sarah Boden, NPR, 30 Dec. 2024

Causes Depending on the type, blisters can be caused by excessive force or injury to the skin, heat, moisture, friction, fractures, and certain health conditions. —Laura Schober, Health, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

excessive

adjective

ex·​ces·​sive ik-ˈses-iv 

: 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