overkill
overkill · overkills · overkilled · overkilling
To destroy something with more force than is requiredTo destroy something with more (nuclear) force than is required.
UK/ˌəʊvəˈkɪl/US/ˌoʊvɚˈkɪl/
» Doing it that way would be overkill.
Meaning
3 senses(transitive)To destroy something with more (nuclear) force than is required.
To dispose of too many items because of too-high criteria of inspection.
To do something excessive to achieve a goal.
Examples
6 sentencesDoing it that way would be overkill.
The fiscal austerity may lead to an overkill of the economy.
It would be overkill, Tom.
Isn't that overkill?
deIst das nicht so, als wollte man mit Kanonen auf Spatzen schießen? — Pfirsichbaeumchen
Listing every tree by its name would be overkill, but allow me to name at least one: the fig tree.
Origin
Dutch kilbor.Dutch kilbor.
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Forms
overkills, overkilling, overkilled, overkilled| Base form | overkill · to overkill |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | overkills |
| Present participle | overkilling |
| Past simple | overkilled |
| Past participle | overkilled |
regular · Lesson
Antonyms
1 antonymsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle