overkill

1 of 2

verb

over·​kill ˌō-vər-ˈkil How to pronounce overkill (audio)
overkilled; overkilling; overkills

transitive verb

: to obliterate (a target) with more nuclear force than required

overkill

2 of 2

noun

over·​kill ˈō-vər-ˌkil How to pronounce overkill (audio)
1
: a destructive capacity greatly exceeding that required for a given target
2
: an excess of something (such as a quantity or an action) beyond what is required or suitable for a particular purpose
publicity overkill
an overkill in weaponry
3
: killing in excess of what is intended or required

Examples of overkill in a Sentence

Noun Yes, we need a new car, but this huge truck seems like overkill. the song already borders on the maudlin—the addition of a syrupy string accompaniment would just be overkill
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Some phones, such as Sony’s Xperia Z Premium devices, reach higher on this metric to match the 4K resolution that’s now standard on most TVs, but that’s generally overkill and only costs you battery life without providing any real visual benefit. Popular Science, 15 Apr. 2020 These guys need nine lives, as much as they’ve been overkilled. Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 25 Aug. 2017
Noun
The rehearsed, synchronized closer was slight overkill, no? Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 19 July 2024 Nordlinger also notes an important instance of overkill. Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2012 See all Example Sentences for overkill 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overkill.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1957, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1957, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overkill was in 1957

Dictionary Entries Near overkill

Cite this Entry

“Overkill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overkill. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

overkill

noun
over·​kill
-ˈkil
1
: a much greater capacity for destruction than is needed for a particular target
2
: an excess beyond what is needed or suitable
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