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
Advertisement Exxon has more resources than just about anybody; ‘overkill’ doesn’t begin to describe the imbalance of power.
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Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024
The new iPad Air will probably also get a new M2 processor, which makes sense and will be totally meaningless to most people since the M1 chip in the current iPad Air still feels like overkill.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 23 Apr. 2024
This news story was unquestionably huge — even though media critics accused networks of overkill and exploitation.
—Brian Stelter, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2024
The director, Jeff Wadlow, establishes to the point of overkill that Taylor resents the existence of her stepmother, but the film still makes Jessica into too much of an interloper.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overkill 
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024
The new iPad Air will probably also get a new M2 processor, which makes sense and will be totally meaningless to most people since the M1 chip in the current iPad Air still feels like overkill.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 23 Apr. 2024
This news story was unquestionably huge — even though media critics accused networks of overkill and exploitation.
—Brian Stelter, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2024
The director, Jeff Wadlow, establishes to the point of overkill that Taylor resents the existence of her stepmother, but the film still makes Jessica into too much of an interloper.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overkill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overkill
Noun
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Austria, known for its use of hydroelectric power, offers an ideal environment for leveraging surplus renewable energy, and a pilot project to use bitcoin mining to help with grid stability is underway between the Austrian Power Grid and 21Energy.Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
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The Van Winkle Whiskey Collection is back, and this year’s release includes an unusual surplus of 20-Year-Old and 23-Year-Old Family Reserve Bourbons.Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
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There’s no separating this excess of narrative from the glut of Squid Game derivatives we’ve been sold over the past three years.Judy Berman, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024
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Nike is now dealing with an excess of inventory from sales slowdowns as consumers turn to newer styles from other brands.Merritt Enright, CNBC, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Sewer overflows caused by clogs can contaminate local waterways, affecting wildlife and public health.Earl Foster, Austin American-Statesman, 5 Dec. 2024
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Those who want dinner need to arrive by 5 p.m. Women utilizing the winter contingency overflow will be required to leave the facility by a.m. daily.Noe Padilla, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near overkill
Cite this Entry
“Overkill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overkill. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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