Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
overkill
noun
/ˈoʊvərˌkɪl/
Definition
The act of using more force, effort, or resources than necessary to achieve a result.
Examples
- Using five security guards for a small party was total overkill.
- The team’s overkill approach to the presentation made the simple idea seem overly complicated.
- Bringing an extra suitcase for a weekend trip felt like overkill.
Meaning
Overkill refers to an excessive amount of something beyond what is needed to accomplish a task or make a point.
Synonyms
- excess
- overreaction
- surplus
- overboard
