Excess

Excess refers to an amount of something that is more than necessary, permitted, or desirable. It implies a surplus or an overabundance. It can apply to tangible things like food or spending, as well as intangible concepts such as emotion or behavior. The term often carries a negative connotation, suggesting waste, extravagance, or a lack of moderation. It is often contrasted with terms like 'sufficiency' or 'moderation,' highlighting a boundary that, when crossed, leads to an undesirable state.

Excess meaning with examples

• After the holiday feast, there was an Excess of food left over, enough to feed a small army. The guests had all eaten until they felt they'd ingested an overabundance of the prepared foods, and were now struggling for space in their over-satiated stomachs. We'll need to plan better next year to avoid such a waste of perfectly good ingredients.
• Her emotional outburst was an Excess of her usual composed demeanor. She had always been the personification of elegance and peace. The sheer force of feeling took everyone by surprise; it was truly unlike her. Her friends comforted her after the outburst and remarked on how her actions weren't usual for her calm and collected nature.
• The company's spending on advertising was deemed an Excess by the financial analysts. The marketing budget seemed bloated and mismanaged, consuming a huge amount of capital. They suggested streamlining expenses to improve profitability and reallocate funds more efficiently. A restructuring was needed to align expenditures with returns.
• To avoid an Excess of weight, the athlete strictly controlled his diet. The weight loss would increase his performance, while at the same time helping with a variety of other important health markers. He meticulously tracked his calorie intake and macronutrient ratios to maintain peak physical condition and performance.