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
Face to face, calling the director often seems like overkill.
—
Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2025
That estimated full camper price includes a €5,750 Bear-Lock fortified security system that was part of the Nugget Terranger show vehicle but might feel like overkill to many buyers.
—New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for overkill
Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2025
That estimated full camper price includes a €5,750 Bear-Lock fortified security system that was part of the Nugget Terranger show vehicle but might feel like overkill to many buyers.
—New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for overkill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overkill
Noun
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John Kmiec, director of Tucson Water, said Tucson’s aggressive conservation programs have made that kind of surplus possible.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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The Royals currently have a surplus of starters returning next season.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The process could, in fact, help rectify that excess of grapes, causing supply to eventually even out with demand.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
8 Nov. 2025
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Unless the category could be brought under control, the excess threatened to self-propagate.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But the government also conducted emergency evacuations during the weekend after local authorities failed to plan ahead for flooding caused by the overflow of the Cauto del Paso dam, in the province of Granma, and the Cauto River, along Granma and Las Tunas.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
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That doesn’t include those held back for opponents’ fans, student overflow and other promotions that could be released for sale.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overkill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overkill. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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