Overkill

usgb/ˈəʊvərkɪl/
noun

Doing much more than is required, unnecessary excess.

Hiring three tutors to teach one student may be an overkill.
Visual representation of "overkill" - Doing much more than is required, unnecessary excess

Often appears as...

  • act of overkill
  • considered overkill
Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "overkill"
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Figurative Use

Often used figuratively to suggest excessive actions or measures in everyday situations.

Illustration for Figurative Use
Bringing a raincoat to the desert is overkill.
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Negative Connotation

Implies criticism; the action is more extreme than necessary and possibly wasteful.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
Isn't a five-course meal for a toddler's birthday party overkill?
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Subjective Perception

What’s considered overkill in one context might be normal in another; based on personal judgement.

Illustration for Subjective Perception
Some say a phone with six cameras is overkill, others see it as high-tech.
Word comparison image

Compare with

excessiveextravagantextremenecessaryoverwhelmredundantsuperfluoussurplus
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Visual representation of the word "Overkill"

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