Excessive

Excessive is an adjective that describes something more than is reasonable, necessary, or appropriate. It denotes a degree of quantity, intensity, or behavior that surpasses what would be prudent or acceptable. The term often carries a negative evaluative tone, signaling potential waste, harm, or loss of balance.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin excedere 'to go beyond' and excessus 'surplus,' passing into English via Old French and other intermediaries, with the suffix -ive forming an adjective.

Usage and nuance: Excessive is commonly used to criticize or warn against extremes in spending, punishment, regulation, heat, noise, or force. It is typically paired with a noun to express disapproval, though slightly descriptive uses can occur in neutral contexts such as describing weather.

Common collocations include excessive drinking, excessive force, excessive spending, excessive noise, and excessive caution. In law and policy, phrases such as excessive punishment or excessive regulation appear in debates about proportionality and human rights.

Related terms include excess, excessively, excessiveness; synonyms such as immoderate or extravagant; and antonyms such as moderate, reasonable, proportionate.