excessive Hear it!

excessive Definition

ex·ces·sive (ek ses′iv, ik-)

adjective

characterized by excess; being too much or too great; immoderate; inordinate

Etymology: ME & OFr excessif < ML excessivus

excessive Related Forms
ex·ces′·sively adverb ex·ces′·sive·ness noun
excessive Synonyms

excessive

modif.

immoderate, inordinate, extreme, extravagant, exorbitant, too much, too great, disproportionate, unwarranted, undue, unnecessary, unreasonable, uncalled-for, overmuch, superfluous, redundant, lavish, prodigal, overdone; see also extreme 2, undue.

excessive applies to that which goes beyond what is proper, right, or usual excessive demands; exorbitant suggests unreasonable excess and often connotes a greedy desire for more than is just or due exorbitant prices; extravagant and immoderate both imply excessiveness resulting from lack of restraint or of prudence extravagant praise, immoderate laughter; inordinate implies a going beyond the orderly limits of convention or the bounds of good taste his inordinate pride

excessive Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • grossly: Levels of state expenditure, taxation, and public debt are all grossly excessive.
  • manifestly: An appeal against sentence can be made where the sentence imposed was manifestly excessive.
  • somewhat: While seeking her inner balance, Mother Teresa can be somewhat excessive and also indecisive when she has to make choices.
  • rather: We'd receive rather excessive amounts of exegesis on this passage before the day was out.
  • potentially: Pirc says the new plan, ' combined with other incentive awards ' , is potentially excessive.
  • perhaps: I hoped to take with me a bit more than an extensive, perhaps excessive, " history of the screw " .

Preposition: for

  • purpose: In addition, their overhead can be excessive for some purposes.

Modifies a noun

  • drinking: Excessive drinking creates problems in every section of society.
  • workload: We know from our teacher members that excessive workload is the major concern that they have.
  • bleeding: The first signs are often jaundice, pale stools, excessive bleeding or an enlarged liver - all non-specific signs of liver disease.
  • consumption: I would put the excessive consumption of meat right up there in that category.
  • intake: The next few days were a haze of excessive alcoholic intake.
  • noise: Make sure the exhaust isn't pumping out black or blue smoke or making excessive noise.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: That said, your son's charges do seem excessive.
  • become: In addition, the time required for full backup becomes excessive.
  • prevent: A car throttle preventing excessive revving could also prevent a motorist accelerating to avoid danger.
  • consider: In the event that this is considered excessive in your particular circumstances, please contact the College Librarian.
  • regard: When the sum was named, he exclaimed at hearing the cost, which he regarded as excessive.

Preposition: in

  • relation: III: Personal data shall be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purpose or purposes for which they are processed.
  • circumstance: The appellant simply cannot complain that a sentence of six months overall was excessive in the circumstances.
excessive Quotes

A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing.

—Hamilton, Alexander

   I was relieved to hear that your welcome was not excessive.

—Ustinov, Sir PeterAlexander