Excessive vs. Superfluous — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Excessive and Superfluous
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Compare with Definitions
Excessive
More than is necessary, normal, or desirable; immoderate
He was drinking excessive amounts of brandy
Superfluous
Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough
The purchaser should avoid asking for superfluous information
Excessive
Exceeding a normal, usual, reasonable, or proper limit.
Superfluous
Being beyond what is required or sufficient.
Excessive
Exceeding the usual bounds of something; extravagant; immoderate.
Putting a wide vibrato on a single 16th triplet note at 160 beats per minute seems rather excessive.
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Superfluous
In excess of what is required or sufficient.
With a full rain suit, carrying an umbrella may be superfluous.
Excessive
Characterized by, or exhibiting, excess; overmuch.
Excessive grief [is] the enemy to the living.
Superfluous
More than is wanted or is sufficient; rendered unnecessary by superabundance; unnecessary; useless; excessive; as, a superfluous price.
An authority which makes all further argument or illustration superfluous.
Excessive
Beyond normal limits;
Excessive charges
A book of inordinate length
His dress stops just short of undue elegance
Unreasonable demands
Superfluous
Serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being;
Otiose lines in a play
Advice is wasted words
Excessive
Unrestrained in especially feelings;
Extravagant praise
Exuberant compliments
Overweening ambition
Overweening greed
Superfluous
More than is needed, desired, or required;
Trying to lose excess weight
Found some extra change lying on the dresser
Yet another book on heraldry might be thought redundant
Skills made redundant by technological advance
Sleeping in the spare room
Supernumerary ornamentation
It was supererogatory of her to gloat
Delete superfluous (or unnecessary) words
Extra ribs as well as other supernumerary internal parts
Surplus cheese distributed to the needy
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