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
In an age when blockbuster overkill is supposed to be saving movies, the film reminds you that the real salvation of cinema will always come from those who understand that making a movie should be a magic trick good enough to fool the magician himself into believing it.
—
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 May 2025
This might sound like overkill, but as the car heats up and snow starts to slide, roof snow can fall onto windshields and obscure vision at intersections or when pressing on the brakes.
—Kade Krichko, Outside Online, 6 Mar. 2025
Since the 2015 Progeny box already gave us seven full concerts from the same tour, an additional show is welcome, but a bit of an overkill.
—Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2025
That big ol’ stockpot may suddenly seem like total overkill.
—Jessica Saari Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overkill
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 May 2025
This might sound like overkill, but as the car heats up and snow starts to slide, roof snow can fall onto windshields and obscure vision at intersections or when pressing on the brakes.
—Kade Krichko, Outside Online, 6 Mar. 2025
Since the 2015 Progeny box already gave us seven full concerts from the same tour, an additional show is welcome, but a bit of an overkill.
—Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2025
That big ol’ stockpot may suddenly seem like total overkill.
—Jessica Saari Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overkill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overkill
Noun
-
Today, the company focuses on securing land with surplus electricity — renewable, solar, wind, nuclear, grid or off-grid — and reliable internet connectivity.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
20 June 2025
-
At the end of the Cryogenian, when the ice melted and the frozen continents thawed, a surplus of nutrient-rich meltwater flooded Earth.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Yet the Iceland international midfielder quickly came to be seen as a symbol of the regime’s financial excess and muddled thinking.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
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Just after the plant finishes blooming, prune excess growth back to 6 inches.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2025
Noun
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Afterward, Ye was seated in the front row of overflow room 23B, watching the monitor with his bodyguards.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
17 June 2025
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For approximately 15 minutes, West, his entourage, and Combs' son were alone in the overflow room with four court officers.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overkill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overkill. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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