overgenerous
Adjective: 1. Excessively generous; giving or providing in a way that is more than is necessary or reasonable. Characterizes an act or a person who shows a degree of generosity that is extreme or wasteful.
The adjective "overgenerous" is used to describe a person, their actions, or the nature of something given. It often carries a nuance of criticism or concern, suggesting that the generosity, while well-intentioned, is impractical, unsustainable, or unwise. It modifies a noun directly or follows a linking verb like "be," "seem," or "become."
Describing a person:
- She was overgenerous with her time, often neglecting her own needs to help others.
- An overgenerous host, he insisted everyone take home leftovers.
Describing an action or amount:
- The overgenerous portions at the restaurant meant we couldn't finish our meals.
- His overgenerous donation, while appreciated, raised questions about his motives.
Following a linking verb:
- The terms of the settlement seemed overgenerous to the opposing lawyers.
- Don't be overgenerous with the fertilizer, or you might harm the plants.
"overgenerous in (one's) praise": To praise someone or something to an excessive degree, potentially lacking in critical judgment.
- The reviewer was overgenerous in his praise for the mediocre film.
"overgenerous to a fault": An idiom emphasizing that someone's excessive generosity is their primary character flaw.
- Her kindness is overgenerous to a fault, making her vulnerable to being taken advantage of.
Overgenerosity (noun): The quality or state of being overgenerous.
- His overgenerosity eventually led to financial difficulties.
Generous (adj): Showing a readiness to give more of something than is strictly necessary or expected. (The root word without the excessive connotation.)
- Lavish (adj): Sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious. Can be synonymous with "overgenerous" in the context of giving.
- Munificent (adj): Larger or more generous than is usual or necessary. (A more formal synonym.)
- Prodigal (adj): Spending money or resources recklessly wastefully; extravagantly generous.
- Unsparing (adj): Given freely and generously; not holding back.
Extravagant, lavish, munificent, prodigal, unsparing, unstinting (in its sense of not restricting the amount given), overliberal.
Stingy, miserly, parsimonious, niggardly, tightfisted, frugal, sparing, moderate.
- very generous
- distributed gifts with a lavish hand
- the critics were lavish in their praise
- a munificent gift
- his father gave him a half-dollar and his mother a quarter and he thought them munificent
- prodigal praise
- unsparing generosity
- his unstinted devotion
- called for unstinting aid to Britain