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Overkill vs Unduly - What's the difference?

overkill | unduly |

As a noun overkill

is (literally) a destructive capacity that exceeds that needed to destroy an enemy; especially with nuclear weapons.

As a verb overkill

is to destroy something with more (nuclear) force than is required.

As an adverb unduly is

undeservedly, not warranted.

overkill

English

Noun

(-)
  • (literally) A destructive capacity that exceeds that needed to destroy an enemy; especially with nuclear weapons.
  • (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

    (en verb)
  • To destroy something with more (nuclear) force than is required.

    • unduly

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • Undeservedly, not warranted.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers)
    • , chapter=5, title= A Cuckoo in the Nest , passage=The departure was not unduly prolonged. In the road Mr. Love and the driver favoured the company with a brief chanty running. “Got it?—No, I ain't, 'old on,—Got it? Got it?—No, 'old on sir.”}}
  • *{{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
    • , chapter=8 citation , passage=It was a casual sneer, obviously one of a long line. There was hatred behind it, but of a quiet, chronic type, nothing new or unduly virulent, and he was taken aback by the flicker of amazed incredulity that passed over the younger man's ravaged face.}}