1
a
: the state or an instance of surpassing usual, proper, or specified limits : superfluity
b
: the amount or degree by which one thing or quantity exceeds another
an excess of 10 bushels
2
: undue or immoderate indulgence : intemperance
also
: an act or instance of intemperance
… prevent excesses and abuses by newly created local powers. —
Albert Shanker
Albert Shanker see also in excess of
: more than the usual, proper, or specified amount
excessed; excessing; excesses
: to eliminate the position of
excessed several teachers because of budget cutbacks
Examples of excess in a Sentence
Noun
They were equipped with an excess of provisions.
The tests found an excess of sodium in his blood.
He lived a life of excess.
The movie embraces all the worst excesses of popular American culture.
the violent excesses of the military regime
He apologized for his past excesses.
Adjective
Basketball provided an outlet for their excess energy.
She is trying to eliminate excess fat and calories from her diet.
Recent Examples on the Web
Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Starring Elordi and Barry Keoghan, Fennell’s dark comedy about class resentment and covetous destruction was sold on the promise of erotic excess.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Sports Equipment Garages can be overrun very quickly by excess sports equipment.
—Kaylei Fear, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2026
Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2023
Over the past few months, my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 17 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for excess
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Noun
As much as any other institution—schools, libraries, churches—the public-health system has helped propagate the idea of a commons, often working against historical inertia to curb the excesses of American individualism.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Starring Elordi and Barry Keoghan, Fennell’s dark comedy about class resentment and covetous destruction was sold on the promise of erotic excess.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Force-feeding waterways the excess nutrients in fertilizer can upend entire ecosystems and spur algae blooms.
—Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Sports Equipment Garages can be overrun very quickly by excess sports equipment.
—Kaylei Fear, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Over the past few months my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2023
Over the past few months, my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 17 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for excess
Cite this Entry
“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excess. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
excess
2 of 2 adjective
: more than what is usual, acceptable, or needed
excess baggage
an outlet for their excess energy
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
