Synonyms of overkill

overkill

noun

ˈō-vər-ˌkil 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surplus
• excess
• overflow
• abundance
• sufficiency
• surplusage
• overabundance
• redundancy
• plus
• oversupply
• superfluity
• overage
• surfeit
• plethora
• superabundance
• plenty
• fat
• overmuch
• overplus
• bounty
• bellyful
• overproduction
• profusion
• plentitude
• overstock

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deficiency
• deficit
• insufficiency
• lack
• scarcity
• want
• undersupply
• dearth

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of overkill

No amount of time-traveling expeditions to reboot or create alternate timelines can save it now, because it's been done to the point of overkill. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 3 July 2026

If the league shifted the primary burden of development to colleges, would those tools amount to overkill? — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Bill Plaschke’s and many Angel fans’ desire for Arte Moreno to sell his ownership of the Angels is an overkill. — Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2026

But in Steyer’s case, his recent unrelenting attack ads against surging Becerra — now his chief campaign rival — are disturbing and seem like overkill. — George Skelton, Mercury News, 1 June 2026