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
Over 150 companies, including Siemens, Heineken, Renault and Airbus, expressed concerns about potential regulatory overkill.
—
Ozan Ozerk, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
But the real star is Fowler’s shape-shifting filmmaking, which is deft enough to revel in blockbuster overkill and skewer it at the same time.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
The scene repeats the joke too many times at the end, but the joy of watching Yang get sprayed in the face by a hose makes up for a bit of comic overkill.
—Ian Crouch, The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2024
In the wake of the presidential election this month, the validity or not of the word Latinx was again brought up, but all the handwringing and dramatic reaction feels like overkill.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overkill
Ozan Ozerk, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
But the real star is Fowler’s shape-shifting filmmaking, which is deft enough to revel in blockbuster overkill and skewer it at the same time.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
The scene repeats the joke too many times at the end, but the joy of watching Yang get sprayed in the face by a hose makes up for a bit of comic overkill.
—Ian Crouch, The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2024
In the wake of the presidential election this month, the validity or not of the word Latinx was again brought up, but all the handwringing and dramatic reaction feels like overkill.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overkill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overkill
Noun
-
For example, imports and exports create a trade deficit or surplus, which affects the amount of U.S. debt and property owned by foreign entities, which in turn affects the federal government’s financial strength.—
Mike Patton,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The probe revealed that the village's general fund had diminished from a $5.6 million surplus in 2022 to a $3.6 million deficit in 2024, raising concerns about questionable credit card purchases and a lack of financial accountability.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
Fox News,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Cook salmon: Remove salmon from marinade, discarding excess.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2025
-
For the past three seasons, the series has revealed the quirks, impulses, excesses, dysfunctions, nuances and eccentricities of the wealthy against the backdrop of a luxury resort chain and its not-so faceless employees.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The board's 5-3 vote to remove Holloway was met with cheers from the overflow crowd of about 150 parents, teachers and principals on hand to show support for Galen Havner, principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.—
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,
arkansasonline.com,
1 Mar. 2025
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What really made the night, back in early January, was not the 30 points from DeMar DeRozan, the scoreboard salute or the selfies with starstruck fans among the overflow crowd at Golden 1 Center.—
Tyler Kepner,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overkill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overkill. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.
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