What are the opposite words for ex-cess?

Excess means an excessive amount, quantity, or degree of something. Antonyms (opposites) for the word excess include deficiency, insufficiency, inadequacy, paucity, scarcity, or dearth. All of these related words imply a negative connotation, as they mean that there is not enough of something. Deficiency implies a lack or shortage, while insufficiency suggests that something falls short or is insufficient. Inadequacy expresses the idea of not being enough to meet demands or expectations. Paucity and scarcity refer to a situation where there is not enough of something, and dearth suggests a lack of what is needed or desired.