What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
excessive
Example
The company's excessive spending on unnecessary luxuries led to financial problems. [excessive: adjective]
Example
She was criticized for her excessive drinking at the party. [excessive: adjective]
extreme
Example
The extreme heat caused many people to suffer from dehydration. [extreme: adjective]
Example
He took extreme measures to protect his family from danger. [extreme: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Excessive is more commonly used than extreme in everyday language. Excessive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while extreme is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between excessive and extreme?
Both excessive and extreme can be used in formal and informal contexts, but excessive is more commonly associated with a negative connotation and may be seen as less formal than extreme.
