Meaning of Overkill | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A destructive capacity that exceeds that needed to destroy an enemy; especially with nuclear weapons.
   literally, uncountable
2. Destruction beyond what is necessary to kill, especially in murder.
   literally, uncountable
3. An unnecessary excess of whatever is needed to achieve a goal.
   broadly, uncountable
4. An unnecessary excess of disposal because of too high criteria of inspection.
   uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“[The] increase in nuclear missiles available to the West was operationally unnecessary and would only add to the existing nuclear overkill; mixed manning was a formula for military disaster; […]”

“Bodies that have been stabbed or shot multiple times—far beyond what was sufficient to kill the victim (overkill)— suggest that the victim and assailant knew each other, […]”

“For some killers with a great deal of love/hate for their victims, it [an edged weapon] is the perfect instrument for a maniacal overkill.”

“"Trans people generally don't get stabbed once; they get stabbed 20 times, shot, burned and thrown into a dumpster." […] Their killers, in displaying an especially virulent form of hatred, often went from murder to overkill, attempting to obliterate their victims, perhaps in an attempt to erase them completely, […]”

“24 hours of TV coverage of the US election verged on overkill.”

“Should I give you yet more homework, or would that be overkill?”

“This is a live concert album, a good choice because it allows for simpler instrumental backup and avoids the studio overkill that would be inappropriate for such a forthright album.”

CEFR level