overkill

noun

excesive use of force or violence

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈəʊ.vəˌkɪl/ / /ˈoʊ.vɚˌkɪl/ / /ˌəʊvəˈkɪl/ / /ˌoʊvɚˈkɪl/ / /ˈoʊvɚˌkɪl/

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *úp Proto-Indo-European *-er Proto-Indo-European *upér Proto-Germanic *uber Old English ofer- Middle English over- English over- English kill English overkill From over- + kill.

A destructive capacity that exceeds that needed to destroy an enemy; especially with nuclear weapons.
“[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; […]”
Destruction beyond what is necessary to kill, especially in murder.
“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.”
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?”
An unnecessary excess of disposal because of too high criteria of inspection.

verb

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.