Excess-Access | Commonly Confused Words
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Excess vs. Access

Excess

/ɪkˈses/
An amount that is more than is needed or allowed

Examples:

She wagged her finger at him in an excess of archness.The feast featured an excess of delicious desserts.Her closet was overflowing with an excess of shoes.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Access

/ˈaksɛs/
The ability or right to approach, enter, or use something.

Examples:

How am I supposed to get an access card?Once you access the file, you can start editing it.The museum provides wheelchair access for all visitors.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Excess starts with ex-, which can mean out of or beyond, like extra, hinting at surplus.
  • Access starts with ac-, which can remind you of approach or admittance, indicating entry or way in.
  • Remember excess with the mnemonic extra stuff – it's too much or more than needed.
  • Think of an access door providing entry or a way to connect.
  • Excess is what you have too much of; access is how you get somewhere or gain entry.
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