excessive

[ ik-ses-iv ]

/ ɪkˈsɛs ɪv /

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adjective

going beyond the usual, necessary, or proper limit or degree; characterized by excess: excessive charges; excessive criticism.

Nearby words

excess luggage, excess profits tax, excess sound pressure, excess supply, excess-profits tax, excessive, exch., exchange, exchange force, exchange rate, exchange rate mechanism

Origin of excessive

1350–1400; Middle English (see excess, -ive); replacing Middle English excessif < Middle French

SYNONYMS FOR excessive

immoderate, extravagant, inordinate, exorbitant, unreasonable.

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ANTONYMS FOR excessive

reasonable.

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Related forms

ex·ces·sive·ly, adverbex·ces·sive·ness, nounnon·ex·ces·sive, adjectivenon·ex·ces·sive·ly, adverb

non·ex·ces·sive·ness, nounqua·si-ex·ces·sive, adjectivequa·si-ex·ces·sive·ly, adverbun·ex·ces·sive, adjectiveun·ex·ces·sive·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for excessive

Excessive force to combat minor infractions of the law is the central issue today.
The GOP and Police Unions: A Love Story|Eleanor Clift|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The list of banned items from the BBFC seems altogether ridiculous and excessive.
Why Has Female Ejaculation Been Banned in British Porn?|Emily Shire|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Excessive alcohol consumption is a major public health problem in the United States.
Americans Drink Too Much, But We’re Not All Alcoholics|Gabrielle Glaser|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For men, excessive, or binge drinking, is defined as five or more drinks at one time, or more than 15 drinks during the week.
Americans Drink Too Much, But We’re Not All Alcoholics|Gabrielle Glaser|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Women who drink while pregnant—any amount—as well as underage drinkers, are also defined as “excessive drinkers.”
Americans Drink Too Much, But We’re Not All Alcoholics|Gabrielle Glaser|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This increase was excessive and altogether unnecessary to the maintenance of thorough and progressive government.
Appletons' Popular Science Monthly, May, 1900|Various
It is giving him no excessive praise to say that he makes himself as interesting as Johnson and Boswell together.
The Age of Dryden|Richard Garnett
She really was a splendid animal, unhurt either by excessive work or—as many modern mothers are—by a rotten fashionable life.
Here and Hereafter|Barry Pain
Yet his poverty was excessive, for the beautiful statue, modeled during successive months with much love, fell to pieces.
Rodin: The Man and his Art|Judith Cladel
It is kept vigorously upon the stretch of excessive vigilance.
The Mirror of the Sea|Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for excessive

excessive

/ (ɪkˈsɛsɪv) /

adjective

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

Derived Forms

excessively, adverbexcessiveness, noun

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