as in surplus
the state or an instance of going beyond what is usual, proper, or needed
the song already borders on the maudlin—the addition of a syrupy string accompaniment would just be overkill
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Recent Examples of overkill
It’s also plagued by confusing time jumps, clunky dialogue that tells rather than shows and plot complications that get too complicated, bordering on overkill.
—
Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 18 Sep. 2025
These findings highlight the value of striking a balance between gung-ho overkill and long-term practicality—in the process, lending a strategic advantage to the quest for entrepreneurial success.
—Samantha Dewalt, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
And while the design and features are tailored to gamers, the Alienware Aurora also doubles as an overkill workstation, offering unmatched performance for video editing, graphic design, and 3D modeling.
—Sherrie Nachman, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
In what seems like downbeat overkill, his sweet old dog’s cancer has spread, forcing him to have the animal euthanized.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overkill
Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 18 Sep. 2025
These findings highlight the value of striking a balance between gung-ho overkill and long-term practicality—in the process, lending a strategic advantage to the quest for entrepreneurial success.
—Samantha Dewalt, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
And while the design and features are tailored to gamers, the Alienware Aurora also doubles as an overkill workstation, offering unmatched performance for video editing, graphic design, and 3D modeling.
—Sherrie Nachman, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
In what seems like downbeat overkill, his sweet old dog’s cancer has spread, forcing him to have the animal euthanized.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overkill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overkill
Noun
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Despite the early playoff exit, Boston's future looks bright, with the team boasting a surplus of talented young players, including Roman Anthony.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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The school had a surplus of some items — like dozens of conga drums found in an instrument inventory, still wrapped in plastic — and a shortage of others, like student textbooks.—
Vidushi Mishti Sharma,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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During winter months when water demand is low, the city would have to store the excess in either a reservoir or some kind of storage basin.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
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Millions remain far from liberated from economic pressure, and few of us feel burdened by an excess of free time.—
Arianna Huffington,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Officials at the Water Reclamation Authority are pursuing new goals after the utility was officially released last year from a pair of longstanding legal agreements that required the utility to address sewer overflows, leading to major investments across the system.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Oct. 2025
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Both the 350-person main sanctuary and 60-person overflow room were filled at the church, a few blocks from where the collision killed Andrew Olsen and injured his two siblings in the Lake Murray area of San Diego Monday morning.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overkill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overkill. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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