WordGarden.ioexcessiveness
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Meanings
Noun
the quality of being too much or beyond reasonable limits
Beyond the definition
Excessiveness is not just a lot of something. It is too much. Think of a child with an endless supply of candy. A little sweetness is nice, but too much can lead to sugar rushes, stomach aches, and maybe even a meltdown. The word describes behavior or qualities that go beyond what is reasonable or needed. You might use it for a lavish party with far too many decorations and too much food, or for someone's spending when it goes well past common sense. Sometimes it is about quantity, like owning too many things. Other times it is about intensity, like showing more emotion than the situation calls for.
Excessiveness refers to the quality of being more than is necessary, reasonable, or acceptable. It implies a lack of restraint and often carries a negative connotation, suggesting something has gone too far. It's not simply having a lot of something; it's about going beyond the point where it becomes beneficial or even tolerable.
Think of a beautifully written story. A little detail adds richness, but excessive description can bog down the narrative and lose the reader. Or consider generosity: giving is good, but excessive gift-giving might be seen as showing off or creating an obligation.
Excessiveness isn't limited to material things. You can have an excess of zeal (overwhelming enthusiasm), an excess of caution (extreme hesitation), or an excess of pride (arrogance). It often implies a lack of moderation and self-control.
Historically, the concept of "excess" has been explored in philosophy and literature as a vice—something to be avoided. Ancient Greek philosophers warned against hubris—excessive pride that leads to downfall. Shakespeare frequently used excessiveness to portray flawed characters.
So, while enjoying abundance is not inherently bad, once things tip into being too much, you are dealing with excessiveness: the habit or quality of going beyond reasonable limits and often causing problems.
Examples
- 1
Film criticism
Critics complained about the excessiveness of the special effects.
- 2
Executive pay
The report focused on the excessiveness of CEO pay compared with workers' wages.
- 3
Restaurant decor
Some customers loved the restaurant's style, but others thought the decor crossed the line into excessiveness.
- 4
Legal appeal
The appeal argued that the sentence should be reduced because of its excessiveness.
- Domainin law, sentence
the punishment given by a court
See also
Similar
- immoderation
- extravagance
Shades of meaning
- overkill
- exorbitance
- lavishness
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- the excessiveness of the punishment
- criticize the excessiveness
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- excessivenessnoun