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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The New York Yankees have a surplus of outfielders right now and potentially more on the way ahead of the 2026 Major League Baseball season.—
Patrick McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
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For this Nuggets lineup, the average comes out to a pedestrian 6-9, with three capable perimeter defenders to assist the heavy-footed centers, two 40% 3-point shooters to space the floor, and a surplus of play-making talent.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Duarte sees their work as Brazil’s answer to early [Pedro] Almodóvar, combining the freedom, humor, and the emotional excess of Spain’s Movida Madrileña with Brazil’s own urban and political tensions.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
12 Oct. 2025
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Lightly dredge chicken in flour, and shake off excess.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Indianapolis offers winter shelter as homelessness rises The city has started offering emergency winter shelter in recent years as Indy's largest shelter provider, Wheeler Mission, scales back its overflow capacity amid rising homelessness.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
15 Oct. 2025
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Take Out the Trash No one likes taking out the trash, but there are worse things, like cleaning up overflow or dealing with fruit flies, because it wasn’t taken care of in a timely manner.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overkill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overkill. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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