excessively

American  

[ik-ses-iv-lee] / ɪkˈsɛs ɪv li /

adverb

1. in a way that goes beyond the usual, necessary, or proper limit or degree.

   Applying an excessively thick layer of mulch limits oxygen in the soil and can suffocate the plants.

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Other Word Forms

• nonexcessively adverb
• quasi-excessively adverb
• unexcessively adverb

Etymology

Origin of excessively

excessive ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Smucker’s SJM 0.14%increase; green up pointing triangle overpayment for Hostess Brands, based on excessively optimistic expectations for Twinkies, is a recent example of how that can go wrong.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Kaley has since been diagnosed with body dysmorphia, a condition which causes people to worry excessively about their physical appearance and do not see themselves as others do.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

To describe the phenomenon, he used the slang word "glazing" -- to excessively praise something.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

When F. nucleatum was introduced directly into breast ducts, it caused metaplastic and hyperplastic lesions, noncancerous changes where cells either grow excessively or shift into a different type.

From Science Daily • Mar. 19, 2026

But he had no interest in measurement or experiment; he thought Copernicus was excessively preoccupied with mathematical problems.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• extremely
• unreasonably
• very