Excessive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'excessive' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is more than is necessary, appropriate, or desirable. Example: The noise from the party was excessive and kept the neighbors up all night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jan Tilley, a final-year English student at the University of Leeds, struggled with excessive hair and acne due to the condition, and found that the visible signs disrupted her day-to-day life: "I felt insecure when I first found out, and it affected my confidence.

The Guardian

Asked to elaborate, he said: "We found them to be quite comical on account of how they were dressed and the excessive jewellery they were wearing".

The Guardian

"You can grow out of excessive debt, you cannot shrink out of excessive debt".

The Guardian - Business

Is there not a disparity between the commitment of the World Bank president, Jim Kim, to raise the incomes of the bottom 40% of the world's population with his organisation's Doing Business report, an annual study that ranks countries by the progress they are making in cutting corporate taxes, keeping minimum wages at low levels and ensuring that paid holidays and sick pay are not excessive?

The Guardian - Business

We must stop the excessive influence of big business in politics, which is today a major threat to true democracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the European court found that people have the right to ask for information to be removed from search results that include their names if it is "inadequate, irrelevant or no longer relevant, or excessive".

The Guardian - Opinion

Until he started work in February, the military pattern in Syria had been consistent for several months – occasional forays by rebels into urban areas followed by excessive reaction by government troops, with artillery, snipers, and mass arrests.

The Guardian - Opinion

The jail itself "systematically violated inmates' constitutional rights", according to a 2010 stipulation by the US Department of Justice, through the use of "excessive force by staff, the failure to protect inmates from harm by fellow inmates, inadequate medical and mental healthcare, and a lack of adequate fire safety and sanitation".

The Guardian

Excessive section 106 tariffs [which include deals on payments for affordable housing] just lead to no housing, no regeneration and no community benefits".

The Guardian

Both instinctively understood the ruinous consequences of communism, socialism and excessive government regulation.

The Guardian

Allen was considered "medium risk" by Radio 1, meaning there was "some history of swearing although not excessive".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excessive", ensure the context clearly establishes what the normal or acceptable limit is, against which the excess is being measured. This provides clarity and strengthens your argument or description.

Common error

Avoid using "excessive" without clearly defining the baseline. For example, instead of saying "the report contained excessive detail", specify what made the detail excessive: "The report contained excessive detail, including information irrelevant to the central findings".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "excessive" typically functions as a pre-modifier, describing nouns to indicate that something exceeds what is considered normal, reasonable, or acceptable. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts, reinforcing its role in highlighting surplus or exaggeration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "excessive" denotes something that surpasses normal or acceptable limits. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its usage is particularly prevalent in news and media, frequently conveying disapproval or concern. When using "excessive", ensure to define the baseline for what is considered normal, as vague contexts can diminish clarity. Consider synonyms like "inordinate" or "extravagant" to fine-tune your message. These alternatives add subtle nuances to meaning and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inordinate

Implies exceeding reasonable limits, often suggesting a disruption of order or proportion.

extravagant

Suggests a level of luxury or indulgence that exceeds necessity or practicality.

immoderate

Highlights a lack of restraint or moderation, especially in behavior or expression.

undue

Indicates something is inappropriately or unjustifiably large or intense.

unreasonable

Suggests a deviation from logical or fair judgment, making something unacceptable.

over the top

Informal expression indicating something is exaggerated or theatrical beyond what is appropriate.

exorbitant

Refers specifically to costs or prices that are unreasonably high.

superfluous

Indicates something is unnecessary or redundant, going beyond what is required.

overweening

Suggests excessive confidence or arrogance, often implying a negative judgment.

outrageous

Indicates something is shocking or unacceptable due to its extreme nature.

FAQs

How can I use "excessive" in a sentence?

You can use "excessive" to describe something that exceeds normal or acceptable limits, such as "excessive force", "excessive spending", or "excessive detail".

What are some synonyms for "excessive"?

Synonyms for "excessive" include "inordinate", "extravagant", "immoderate", and "undue". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "excessive" or "too much"?

"Excessive" is more formal than "too much". Use "excessive" in professional or academic writing. In casual conversation, "too much" is generally appropriate.

What is the difference between "excessive" and "extreme"?

"Excessive" implies exceeding a normal or acceptable limit, while "extreme" indicates being at or near the furthest possible point on a scale. Something can be extreme without being excessive if it's appropriate to the situation.