over·kill
ˌō-vər-ˈkil 
overkilled; overkilling; overkills
: to obliterate (a target) with more nuclear force than required
over·kill
ˈō-vər-ˌkil
1
: a destructive capacity greatly exceeding that required for a given target
2
: an excess of something (such as a quantity or an action) beyond what is required or suitable for a particular purpose
publicity overkill
an overkill in weaponry
3
: killing in excess of what is intended or required
Synonyms
Examples of overkill in a Sentence
Noun
Yes, we need a new car, but this huge truck seems like overkill.
the song already borders on the maudlin—the addition of a syrupy string accompaniment would just be overkill
Recent Examples on the Web
Popular Science, 15 Apr. 2020
These guys need nine lives, as much as they’ve been overkilled.
—Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 25 Aug. 2017
Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 19 July 2024
Nordlinger also notes an important instance of overkill.
—Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2012
See all Example Sentences for overkill 
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Verb
Some phones, such as Sony’s Xperia Z Premium devices, reach higher on this metric to match the 4K resolution that’s now standard on most TVs, but that’s generally overkill and only costs you battery life without providing any real visual benefit.
—Popular Science, 15 Apr. 2020
These guys need nine lives, as much as they’ve been overkilled.
—Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 25 Aug. 2017
Noun
The rehearsed, synchronized closer was slight overkill, no?
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 19 July 2024
Nordlinger also notes an important instance of overkill.
—Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2012
See all Example Sentences for overkill
Dictionary Entries Near overkill
Cite this Entry
“Overkill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overkill. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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