overkill

[ oh-ver-kil ]

/ ˈoʊ vərˌkɪl /

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See synonyms for: overkill / overkills on Thesaurus.com

noun

the capacity of a nation to destroy, by nuclear weapons, more of an enemy than would be necessary for a military victory.

an instance of such destruction.

an excess of what is required or suitable, as because of zeal or misjudgment.

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Origin of overkill

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50; over- + kill¹

Words nearby overkill

overindulge, overissue, overjet, overjoy, overjoyed, overkill, overlade, overlaid, overland, overland mail, Overland Park

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use overkill in a sentence

The outsole is understated enough to not feel like overkill if you wear them around town, but the boots handled any trail I threw at them.
My 4 Favorite Upgrades to Men’s Leather Hiking Boots|Graham Averill|February 22, 2021|Outside Online
CTV advertising needs to be more relevant to viewers and there’s an urgent demand for more effective targeting that engages viewers without reaching the point of overkill.
Deep Dive: How the coronavirus crisis accelerated the already cresting CTV sea change|Jessica Rapp|December 21, 2020|Digiday
The Core i7 might seem like overkill for most users, but it has the processing power needed to handle multi-window applications.
Best Android tablet: Find the right device for you|Eric Alt|December 17, 2020|Popular-Science
In the same whacked-out year, we were forced to live without a hearty sports schedule for four dispiriting months, only to spend the next three months navigating a web of sports overkill.
It turns out there is such a thing as too much sports|Jerry Brewer|October 29, 2020|Washington Post

It can be a total overkill for anything short, but a great choice if you’re writing something considerably long or are just overwhelmed by the amount of elements in your work.
Become a better writer with these online tools|Harry Guinness|October 20, 2020|Popular-Science
The Israeli response to the heinous crimes committed by Palestinians often seems overkill.
Intifada 3.0: Growing Unrest and a Plot to Kill an Israeli Minister|Creede Newton|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Do you tell [people] the shocking truth -- that he was practically cut in half from the overkill of ammo fired into his body?
Whitey Bulger and the FBI Whitewash|T.J. English|November 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It might be a little overkill for a police officer, but it makes for one very memorable robot.
Terminator, Wall-E & More of the Best Robots in Film (Video)|Victoria Kezra|July 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
While we may have reached peak Downey here, his gift for gab—even under the most dire of circumstances—never seems like overkill.
‘Iron Man 3,’ Starring Robert Downey Jr., Is Loud, Quippy, Ridiculous Fun|Marlow Stern|May 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She denied that the 10 days of constant attacks amounted to overkill.
DNC Chief: Sununu Went 'Into the Gutter'|Howard Kurtz|July 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I won't neglect my responsibility for sound regulations that serve the public good, but regulatory overkill must be stopped.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various

British Dictionary definitions for overkill

overkill

/ (ˈəʊvəˌkɪl) /

noun

the capability to deploy more weapons, esp nuclear weapons, than is necessary to ensure military advantage

any capacity or treatment that is greater than that required or appropriate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

overkill

Origin of overkill

Words nearby overkill

Words related to overkill

How to use overkill in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for overkill