# overkill

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈəʊ.vəˌkɪl/ · frequency rank #29,777

## Definitions
1. A destructive capacity that exceeds that needed to destroy an enemy; especially with nuclear weapons.
2. Destruction beyond what is necessary to kill, especially in murder.
3. An unnecessary excess of whatever is needed to achieve a goal.
4. An unnecessary excess of disposal because of too high criteria of inspection.

## Etymology
From over- + kill.

## Easily confused with
- **overall** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overall-vs-overkill)

## Common misspellings (10)
`oevrkill`, `ovekrill`, `overikll`, `overkil`, `overkkill`, `overklil`, `overrkill`, `ovrekill`, `ovverkill`, `voerkill`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/overkill