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Definitions

excess

[ik-ses, ek-ses, ek-ses, ik-ses] / ɪkˈsɛs, ˈɛk sɛs, ˈɛk sɛs, ɪkˈsɛs /
NOUN
overabundance of something
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exuberance glut overkill surplus waste
STRONG
balance by-product enough exorbitance fat fulsomeness inundation lavishness leavings leftover luxuriance nimiety overflow overload overmuch overrun oversupply overweight plenty plethora profusion redundance redundancy refuse remainder residue rest spare superabundance supererogation superfluity surfeit wastefulness
WEAK
overdose recrement the limit too much too much of a good thing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
insufficiency lack need want
STRONG
base core few little scarcity
WEAK
dearth deficiency deprivation economy frugality moderation poverty privation shortcoming
NOUN
overindulgence in personal desires
Synonyms
STRONGEST
extravagance extreme
STRONG
debauchery dissipation dissoluteness exorbitance extremity immoderation indulgence inordinateness intemperance prodigality saturnalia self-indulgence unrestraint
WEAK
immoderacy overdoing
Antonyms
STRONG
unselfishness
WEAK
dearth deficiency deprivation economy frugality insufficiency lack moderation need poverty privation shortcoming want

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The kind of contraction generated by walking moves cerebrospinal fluid out of the brain, leading Drew to hypothesize that the mechanism plays an important role in flushing out excess proteins and other unnecessary material.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

Iran is also desperate and known for having tricks up its sleeve—so we’ll see what happens with its excess oil.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Her monthly premiums, excess and medications come to about £300 a month.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

“Crude prices will be much higher if not for the U.S. exporting its excess supply.”

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

But the rest of the meal was authentic, including the excess of chilies combined with tomato and garlic, and the side dish of traditional red rice.

From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson

Vocabulary lists containing excess

Much Ado: Synonyms for "Many"

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Theodore Roosevelt on "The Man with the Muck Rake" (1906)

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The Dawes Act

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