[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; […]1990, Sir William Godfrey Fothergill Jackson, Britain's Defence Dilemma: An Inside View : Rethinking British Defence Policy in the Post-imperial Era, B. T. Batsford Limited:
2
Literally 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, […]2017, James M. O'Kane, Wicked Deeds: Murder in America, Routledge, →ISBN:
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.2018, Lt. James Glennon, Lt. Daniel Marcou, Chuck Remsberg, Street Survival II: Tactics for Deadly Force Encounters, Calibre Press, →ISBN:
1 more example
"Trans people generally don't get stabbed once; they get stabbed 20 times, shot, burned and thrown into a dumpster." […] Their killers, in displaying an especially virulent form of hatred, often went from murder to overkill, attempting to obliterate their victims, perhaps in an attempt to erase them completely, […]2020, Laurel Westbrook, Unlivable Lives: Violence and Identity in Transgender Activism, →ISBN, page 101:
3
Broadly 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?
1 more example
This is a live concert album, a good choice because it allows for simpler instrumental backup and avoids the studio overkill that would be inappropriate for such a forthright album.1984 August 4, Maida Tilchen, “Sex, Politics, and Good Vibes”, in Gay Community News, page 8:
4
Business, Manufacturing An unnecessary excess of disposal because of too high criteria of inspection.
overkill
verb
UK /ˌəʊvəˈkɪl/ · US /ˌoʊvɚˈkɪl/
Etymology From over- + kill.
1
To destroy something with more (nuclear) force than is required.
2
Business, Manufacturing To dispose of too many items because of too-high criteria of inspection.