overkill
English
Etymology
Pronunciation 1
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈəʊvəˌkɪl/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈoʊvɚˌkɪl/
Noun
overkill (uncountable)
- (literally, military) A destructive capacity that exceeds that needed to destroy an enemy; especially with nuclear weapons.
- (by extension) An unnecessary excess of whatever is needed to achieve a goal.
- 24 hours of TV coverage of the US election verged on overkill.
- Should I give you yet more homework, or would that be overkill?
- (manufacturing) An unnecessary excess of disposal because of too high criteria of inspection.
- Antonym: underkill
Translations
an unnecessary excess of something (idiomatic)
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Pronunciation 2
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌəʊvəˈkɪl/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌoʊvɚˈkɪl/
Verb
overkill (third-person singular simple present overkills, present participle overkilling, simple past and past participle overkilled)
- (transitive) To destroy something with more (nuclear) force than is required.
- (manufacturing) To dispose of too many items because of too high criteria of inspection.
- Antonym: underkill
- To do something excessive to achieve a goal.