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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overkill
Even the Obama administration had not engaged in this kind of prosecutorial overkill.
—
The Editors, National Review, 28 Jan. 2025
The investors who had pumped trillions of dollars into tech stocks over the last few years worried whether the tens of billions of dollars that tech companies were spending on new data centers suddenly looked like comic overkill.
—Karen Weise, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
And Primus seems to have optimized the Ulti design in a way that stands above the average infrared stove, which might be overkill for a balmy mid-summer camping trip but could prove absolutely vital on an Arctic expedition or multi-night ski mountaineering journey.
—New Atlas, 25 Jan. 2025
That's why there will always be a place for consoles in the market, with most gamers who want convenience choosing the plastic box over the overkill computer on their work desk.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overkill
The Editors, National Review, 28 Jan. 2025
The investors who had pumped trillions of dollars into tech stocks over the last few years worried whether the tens of billions of dollars that tech companies were spending on new data centers suddenly looked like comic overkill.
—Karen Weise, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
And Primus seems to have optimized the Ulti design in a way that stands above the average infrared stove, which might be overkill for a balmy mid-summer camping trip but could prove absolutely vital on an Arctic expedition or multi-night ski mountaineering journey.
—New Atlas, 25 Jan. 2025
That's why there will always be a place for consoles in the market, with most gamers who want convenience choosing the plastic box over the overkill computer on their work desk.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overkill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overkill
Noun
-
And the $529 million shortfall already assumes $300 million in TIF surplus.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2025
-
At Tuesday’s meeting, the school board was informed that the surplus of federal funds that had been used to offer free lunch throughout the district for the past school year was finally depleted.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Mania, the one side of its polarity, wants novelty, power, movement, excess.—
Cameron Esposito,
Glamour,
12 May 2025
-
Amid low hope for progress, one positive outcome for financial markets in talks would be an agreement to bring down tariffs from an excess of 100 percent to levels allowing products to flow each way, Reuters reported.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
As the hearing began Wednesday, hundreds of people had signed up — and lined up — to testify, filling two overflow rooms and prompting the committee’s chair to cap testimony at four hours each for supporters and for opponents.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
1 May 2025
-
Sister Aimee, with her modest demeanor and overflow crowds, was a newsworthy curiosity.—
Carolyn Kellogg,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overkill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overkill. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share