ikˈsesiv, (ˈ)ek|s-, -esēv also -esəv adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French excessif, from Medieval Latin excessivus, from Latin excessus (past participle) + -ivus -ive
: characterized by or present in excess: as
a. : exceeding the usual, proper, or normal
excessive rainfall
an excessive penchant for intellectual and verbal hairsplitting — J.W.Beach
gross and excessive language
b. : very large, great, or numerous : greater than usual
the early rains induced an excessive vegetative growth
c. : given to excess : intemperate
Synonyms:
immoderate , inordinate , extravagant , exorbitant , extreme : excessive describes whatever notably exceeds the reasonable, usual, proper, necessary, just, or endurable
outraged farmers had clamored against the railroad monopoly, charging that it gouged them with excessive freight charges — Allan Nevins & H.S.Commager
excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted — U.S. Constitution
immoderate may suggest blameworthy lack of restraint and moderation
I can testify that the Mass gave him extreme, I may even say immoderate, satisfaction. It was almost orgiastic — T.S.Eliot
Mr. Hilary saw, at one view, all the circumstances of the adventure, and burst into an immoderate fit of laughter — T.L.Peacock
inordinate connotes an excess transcending reason or judgment
his pride was inordinate. Rather than humble himself, rather than bend, he flings himself to the dogs — Henry Miller
his insensate wrath seemed to pass all ordinary bounds … Even Heath was startled by Rex's inordinate malignity — W.H.Wright
extravagant connotes a similar excess; the word may imply a wild, prodigal, or foolish wandering from fit restraints and accustomed bounds
she tore her hair and beat her breast, and abandoned herself to all the violences of extravagant emotion — Bram Stoker
the absence of a customary norm of consumption was most conspicuous in the extravagant life of the courts. To externalize the desire for power, wealth, and privilege, the princes of the Renascence lavished upon private luxury and display enormous amounts of money — Lewis Mumford
altogether too extravagant and impossible to be regarded in any other light than as a monstrous joke — Charles Dickens
exorbitant likewise suggests a notable excessive departure from the customary; frequently applied to prices asked, demands, or exactions
a continuation of the law for the renegotiation of war contracts — which will prevent exorbitant profits and assure fair prices to the government — F.D.Roosevelt
blinded by so exorbitant a lust of gold, the youngster straightway tasked his wits, casting about to kill the lady — Robert Browning
extreme may suggest an attaining to, approaching to, and tending toward the greatest excess possible, although it frequently means only to a notably high degree
the fascination of crime is perpetual, especially in its extreme form as murder — A.C.Ward
there are wings extreme to the point of anarchy — J.L.Lowes