View synonyms for overkill

overkill

[ oh-ver-kil ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the capacity of a nation to destroy, by nuclear weapons, more of an enemy than would be necessary for a military victory.
an instance of such destruction.
an excess of what is required or suitable, as because of zeal or misjudgment.

overkill

/ ˈəʊvəˌkɪl /

the capability to deploy more weapons, esp nuclear weapons, than is necessary to ensure military advantage
any capacity or treatment that is greater than that required or appropriate

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50; over- + kill ¹

The Israeli response to the heinous crimes committed by Palestinians often seems overkill.

Do you tell [people] the shocking truth -- that he was practically cut in half from the overkill of ammo fired into his body?

It might be a little overkill for a police officer, but it makes for one very memorable robot.

While we may have reached peak Downey here, his gift for gab—even under the most dire of circumstances—never seems like overkill.

She denied that the 10 days of constant attacks amounted to overkill.

I won't neglect my responsibility for sound regulations that serve the public good, but regulatory overkill must be stopped.

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