overkill

Word parts

over- + kill

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈəʊ.vəˌkɪl/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈoʊ.vɚˌkɪl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular overkill

Plural overkills

1. (military) An overkill is the destructive capacity the exceeds the amount of what is needed.
2. (by extension) An overkill is an unnecessary excess of whatever is needed to achieve a goal.