Overkill

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈəʊvəˌkɪl/
• US IPA: /ˈoÊŠvɚˌkɪl/

Origin

From - + kill.

Full definition of overkill

Noun

1. (literally) A destructive capacity that exceeds that needed to destroy an enemy; especially with nuclear weapons.
2. (idiomatic) 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?

Verb

1. (transitive) To destroy something with more (nuclear) force than is required.