excessive desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessive desire" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a strong or intense longing for something, often to an extreme or unreasonable degree. This phrase can be used in various contexts, such as in literature, psychology, and everyday conversations. Example: "Her excessive desire for wealth drove her to make unethical choices in her business dealings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The key symp toms of the disease, in addi tion to the chemical finding of excess blood sugar, are weight loss, excessive thirst, excessive urination, excessive desire to eat and physical weakness.

The New York Times

The new version suggests an excessive desire not to offend.

The New York Times - Arts

He later clashed with Max Mosley when he claimed that the former president of the FIA had been "blinded by an excessive desire for personal revenge".

The Guardian - Sport

More than just excessive desire for food, gluttony involves eating irregularly (snacking), being preoccupied with eating, consuming costly (sumptuous or unhealthy) foodstuffs and being fastidious about food.

The New York Times

"Spending on infrastructure is one thing you should do," he said, "but there was an excessive desire to leave a definite mark on the landscape, when you can do just as much good for the economy by keeping a teacher employed".

The New York Times

An excessive desire to be liked can stem from a lot of different issues.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"But some selfish people damage others' lives and dreams because of their own excessive desires.

Vice

In standard DBT for BPD, mindfulness skills target problems associated with identity confusion and emptiness[ 29], whereas OC mindfulness practices target problems associated with rigid adherence to rules, extreme needs for structure, and excessive desires to avoid making mistakes.

BMC Psychiatry

Excessive desires overwork the brain(as it keeps on thinking and craving) which leads to mental fatigue This can cause unhappiness as we have less energy and more stress-related illnesses.

WikiHow

Fear of failure is a function of their excessive standards and desire to do things well.

Harvard Business Review

Most outsiders closely involved in Kirkuk have long argued that it cannot be solved piecemeal but only as part of a big package.Most of Iraq's non-Kurds Shia anon-Kurds Shia and TurkomanSunnin of the OttomArabsrks who for centuries ruled whandis now Iraq)—fiercely oppose whaTurkomansnsider to be the kinds' excessive demands, especially their desire tofconthel Kirkuk.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with specific objects to provide clarity, such as "excessive desire for power" or "excessive desire to be liked".

Common error

Avoid using "excessive desire" with nouns that already imply an extreme state, such as in the phrase "excessive desire of lust" or "excessive desire of greed". Since greed and lust are defined as excessive by nature, use a simpler verb or a different adjective to avoid tautology.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive desire" functions as an adjective-noun collocation where the adjective "excessive" modifies the noun "desire" to specify a degree that surpasses reasonable or normal limits. In the sentences provided by Ludwig, it often serves as the subject or the direct object of a sentence, framing a specific behavior as a problem or symptom.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "excessive desire" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase widely recognized across multiple professional fields. Ludwig AI showcases its use in medical contexts to describe physical symptoms, in philosophical inquiries into human nature, and in journalism to critique social or political ambitions. It is more formal than "<a href="/s/wanting+too+much" target="_blank" rel="alternative">wanting too much" and carries a specific evaluative weight that suggests a lack of self-regulation or a pathological state. Writers should feel confident using it in formal reports, academic papers, and analytical essays to precisely denote a longing that has become disproportionate or harmful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insatiable craving

Suggests a desire that can never be fully satisfied regardless of how much is acquired.

extreme longing

Focuses more on the emotional intensity and depth of the feeling rather than just the quantity.

inordinate appetite

Often used metaphorically for non-food items to describe a demand that is out of proportion.

immoderate want

A more formal and slightly archaic way to describe a lack of restraint in one's needs.

obsessive urge

Implies a psychological compulsion that is difficult to ignore or resist.

unbridled passion

Shifts the focus to a powerful, uncontrolled emotion that drives behavior.

intense yearning

Emphasizes a deep, persistent, and often painful desire for something distant.

voracious demand

Uses a consumption-based metaphor to show a powerful and urgent need.

fanatical pursuit

Describes the active behavior resulting from a desire taken to an extreme.

unrestrained greed

A more judgmental alternative specifically targeting the desire for wealth or possessions.

FAQs

How to use "excessive desire" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a psychological or behavioral state, for example: "His <a href="/s/excessive+desire" target="_blank" rel="alternative">excessive desire for control eventually alienated his colleagues."

What can I say instead of "excessive desire"?

Depending on your context, you might use alternatives like "<a href="/s/insatiable+craving" target="_blank" rel="alternative">insatiable craving", "<a href="/s/inordinate+appetite" target="_blank" rel="alternative">inordinate appetite", or "<a href="/s/extreme+longing" target="_blank" rel="alternative">extreme longing".

Is "excessive desire" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it is highly appropriate for academic contexts. Examples from Ludwig show it is frequently used in scientific journals like BMC Psychiatry and philosophical texts found in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

What is the difference between "excessive desire" and "insatiable craving"?

While "<a href="/s/excessive+desire" target="_blank" rel="alternative">excessive desire" simply denotes that the amount of desire is too high, "<a href="/s/insatiable+craving" target="_blank" rel="alternative">insatiable craving" emphasizes that the desire can never be satisfied, no matter how much the person receives.