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Synonyms

excessive

American  
[ik-ses-iv] / ɪkˈsɛs ɪv /

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 British  
/ ɪkˈsɛsɪv /

adjective

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of excessive

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Solriamfetol, the drug evaluated in this study, is already approved for treating excessive sleepiness in people with obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

Nearly 7 in 10 respondents said they want state and local authorities to intervene when they witness unlawful detentions or excessive use of force by federal immigration agents.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Rabobank expects the euro to rise to 0.87-0.88 pounds in three to six months, adding that expectations for U.K. rate rises appeared excessive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Dubbed "China risk" by some commentators, countries fear state-led espionage and excessive Chinese domination of their tech sectors.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

We trained Ginger to accept the treat without excessive salivating.

From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.