Overkill: meaning, definitions and examples

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overkill

 

[ หˆoสŠvษ™rkษชl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in warfare

Excessive use or treatment of something, resulting in its ineffectiveness or harm.

Synonyms

excess, overabundance, overuse

Examples of usage

  • Using nuclear weapons against a small enemy force would be overkill.
  • The amount of security at the event seemed like overkill.
Context #2 | Noun

in general

Something that is excessively or unnecessarily large or more than what is required.

Synonyms

excessiveness, overdoing, superfluity

Examples of usage

  • The huge cake for a small party was considered an overkill.
  • The elaborate decorations were an overkill for a simple gathering.

Translations

Translations of the word "overkill" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น exagero

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคคเฅเคฏเคงเคฟเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช รœbermaรŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ berlebihan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝะฐะดะผั–ั€ะฝั–ัั‚ัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ nadmiar

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้Žๅ‰ฐ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท excรจs

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ exceso

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท aลŸฤฑrฤฑlฤฑk

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ณผ๋„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฅูุฑุงุท

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pล™ehnanost

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ nadmernosลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฟ‡ๅบฆ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ pretiravanje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ ofgnรณtt

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐั€ั‚ั‹า›ัˆั‹ะปั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒญแƒแƒ แƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hษ™ddindษ™n artฤฑq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ exceso

Etymology

The term 'overkill' originated in the mid-20th century, combining 'over-' with 'kill'. It was first used in the context of warfare to describe excessive use of force leading to unnecessary destruction. Over time, the term has evolved to also refer to any situation where something is done to an excessive degree, beyond what is necessary or appropriate.

See also: kill, killdeer, killer, killing, killjoy.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,855, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.