excessive

[ik-ses-iv]

adjective

1. going beyond the usual, necessary, or proper limit or degree; characterized by excess.

   excessive charges; excessive criticism.

   Synonyms: unreasonable, exorbitant, inordinate, extravagant, immoderate
   Antonyms: reasonable

excessive

/ ɪkˈsɛsɪv /

adjective

1. exceeding the normal or permitted extents or limits; immoderate; inordinate

Other Word Forms

• excessiveness noun
• excessively adverb
• nonexcessive adjective
• nonexcessiveness noun
• quasi-excessive adjective
• unexcessive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of excessive¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ( excess, -ive ); replacing Middle English excessif, from Middle French

Example Sentences

Weeks after widespread protests swept Indonesia over the excessive pays of lawmakers, a new allowance raise has unleashed fresh public anger.

Read more on BBC

The U.S. should also address “excessive regulations” that stand in the way of investment, as well as “partisan gridlock and an education system not aligned to the skills we need,” Dimon said.

Read more on MarketWatch

It called the Dutch government’s move “an excessive intervention based on geopolitical bias.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Most psychologists and psychiatrists believe these illnesses have their root cause in excessive dietary restriction.

Read more on Salon

It also needs to remove obstacles that stand in the way: excessive regulation, bureaucratic delay, partisan gridlock and an education system misaligned with the skills we need.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• disproportionate 
• enormous 
• exaggerated 
• exorbitant 
• extra 
• extravagant 
• extreme 
• inordinate 
• needless 
• redundant 
• steep 
• superfluous 
• unconscionable 
• undue 
• unreasonable