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
There’s so much vying for your attention, including a Sisyphus figure in the background rolling his interminable burden up and down an incline, that the maskwork that comes into play can begin to feel like Brechtian overkill.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
In that moment, the smash-and-grab sound and head-bangers-on-overkill vibe of the Red Hot Chili Peppers was born.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
This one included logos of the teams playing and did away with the XII overkill design.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2026
At first, the Thule Urban Glide 3 felt like overkill compared to smaller, more compact travel strollers.
—Erica Zazo, Outside, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overkill
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
In that moment, the smash-and-grab sound and head-bangers-on-overkill vibe of the Red Hot Chili Peppers was born.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
This one included logos of the teams playing and did away with the XII overkill design.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2026
At first, the Thule Urban Glide 3 felt like overkill compared to smaller, more compact travel strollers.
—Erica Zazo, Outside, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overkill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overkill
Noun
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If the conflict lasts a few months and energy and trade flows return to normal, Gulf states will once again run large surpluses.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
13 Apr. 2026
-
And if white-collar work keeps compressing while companies pocket the surplus, the question that matters most isn’t how much work AI can do.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Flying private has long been synonymous with excess.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Apr. 2026
-
And yet, in placing new context and bodies inside the suit of ’80s excess, The Jellicle Ball reinvents it.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Sac State was good at home in the Pavilion, going 10-4 in front of overflow crowds, but the Hornets went winless on the road at 0-16.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Two overflow rooms were set up to accommodate the public interest.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overkill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overkill. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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