immoderation

immoderation — noun

1. the habit of doing or wanting far more of something than is sensible or healthy,

1.nounC2
Definition

the habit of doing or wanting far more of something than is sensible or healthy, without holding yourself back

Example

Doctor Adina warned Feng that his immoderation in eating sweets would harm his teeth.

immoderation in [activity] showing excess in one habit

Élise poured another large glass of wine, ignoring her sister's quiet warning about immoderation.

immoderation as overdoing food, drink, or pleasure

Common collocations
  • immoderation in eating
  • immoderation in spending
  • an act of immoderation
Synonyms
  • excess

    far more common and neutral; 'immoderation' adds a sense of moral fault

  • intemperance

    equally formal, often tied specifically to drinking or appetite

  • overindulgence

    stresses giving in to pleasure rather than the broader trait

Antonyms
  • moderation

    the direct opposite — sensible self-restraint

  • temperance

    formal restraint, especially with food, drink, or desire

Grammar Patterns

immoderation in [activity]

Usage Note

Almost always uncountable and confined to formal or moralising writing; everyday speech prefers 'lack of self-control' or 'going overboard'.

Common Mistakes

He made an immoderation last night.
He showed immoderation last night.
it is uncountable, so it takes no 'a' and is not counted.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four describe going beyond a sensible limit, but they differ in tone and scope. 'Excess' is the everyday, neutral choice and works for amounts as well as behaviour: 'an excess of salt', 'drank to excess'. 'Immoderation' is rarer and more formal, naming a settled character flaw with a faint moral judgement, as in 'his immoderation at the table'. 'Intemperance' is just as formal but narrows the focus, traditionally to drinking, eating, or strong desire. 'Overindulgence' points at the act of letting yourself enjoy too much of a pleasure, especially food or comfort: 'holiday overindulgence'. Choose 'excess' in normal writing; reach for 'immoderation' or 'intemperance' only in formal or moral discussion.

immoderation ↗excess ↗intemperance ↗overindulgence ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • an act of immoderation
  • a life of immoderation

Prepositions

  • immoderation in

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Formed from the adjective 'immoderate' plus the noun-making ending '-tion'. 'Immoderate' comes from Latin 'immoderatus', built from 'in-' meaning 'not' and 'moderatus' meaning 'kept within limits'. So at root the word means simply 'the state of not being kept within limits'.