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
Annual exams may be overkill for some young adults with no signs of vision problems.
—
Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for overkill
Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for overkill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overkill
Noun
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As providers warn of layoffs and a system nearing collapse, the contrast between the agency's austerity measures and the state's multi-billion dollar surplus remains a central point of contention for advocates and legislators alike.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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But in the years since, Sacramento has failed to act to address the massive debt incurred during the pandemic, despite having a $100 billion surplus in recent years.—
Vince Fong,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Bureaucratic excesses and multi-purpose policies cannot burden it, as was the case with the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Foamy or Frothy Urine Proteinuria, an excess of protein in the urine, is the second most common symptom of IgA nephropathy after blood in the urine.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Taken together, the deals suggest that Downtown Manhattan is no longer simply benefiting from overflow demand.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The vote followed hours of public input that filled the overflow room at the Carnegie Town Hall.—
Vanessa Carlson Bender,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overkill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overkill. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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