1
a
: the state or an instance of surpassing usual, proper, or specified limits : superfluity
b
: the amount or degree by which one thing or quantity exceeds another
an excess of 10 bushels
2
: undue or immoderate indulgence : intemperance
also
: an act or instance of intemperance
prevent excesses and abuses by newly created local powers —
Albert Shanker
Albert Shanker
: more than the usual, proper, or specified amount
excessed; excessing; excesses
: to eliminate the position of
excessed several teachers because of budget cutbacks
Synonyms
Examples of excess in a Sentence
Noun
They were equipped with an excess of provisions.
The tests found an excess of sodium in his blood.
He lived a life of excess.
The movie embraces all the worst excesses of popular American culture.
the violent excesses of the military regime
He apologized for his past excesses.
Adjective
Basketball provided an outlet for their excess energy.
She is trying to eliminate excess fat and calories from her diet.
Recent Examples on the Web
Caroline Hatchett, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2024
The ’80s excess is on point, from maximalist cocktail attire to the mile-high-club encounter in the Concorde bathroom that opens the series.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024
Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
The company also is getting past excess inventory issues in a few business lines.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2023
Over the past few months, my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 17 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for excess 
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Noun
Just an overdue recalibration of what constitutes luxury versus excess; omakase counters are thriving, after all.
—Caroline Hatchett, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2024
The ’80s excess is on point, from maximalist cocktail attire to the mile-high-club encounter in the Concorde bathroom that opens the series.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
And because these rich hues offer a statement on their own, they can be worn as a single eyeshadow and do not need to be perfected with excess shading or shadow layering.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
The company also is getting past excess inventory issues in a few business lines.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Over the past few months my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2023
Over the past few months, my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 17 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for excess
Articles Related to excess
Dictionary Entries Near excess
Cite this Entry
“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excess. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
excess
2 of 2 adjective
: more than what is usual, acceptable, or needed
excess baggage
an outlet for their excess energy
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