as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
The writing was great, but some of the acting was over-the-top.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of over-the-top
Entire blockbuster films recount the ins and outs of over-the-top hangovers.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
His film combines the over-the-top tradition of German Expressionism and the later, divergently realistic German New Wave movement, in which Herzog was a key player.
—Jason Bailey, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
The finishing layer of crispy tater tots put this recipe over-the-top.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2024
What started as salami and a little bit of cheese from the deli blossomed into over-the-top sandwiches.
—The Editors, Outside Online, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for over-the-top 
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
His film combines the over-the-top tradition of German Expressionism and the later, divergently realistic German New Wave movement, in which Herzog was a key player.
—Jason Bailey, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
The finishing layer of crispy tater tots put this recipe over-the-top.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2024
What started as salami and a little bit of cheese from the deli blossomed into over-the-top sandwiches.
—The Editors, Outside Online, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for over-the-top
Recent Examples of Synonyms for over-the-top
Adjective
-
This excessive trust makes our organizations more vulnerable to basic human biases.Adam Ennamli, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
-
The company also said damages sought by the plaintiffs are barred by law and/or are unconstitutional based on provisions on due process and excessive fines in the U.S. Constitution and applicable portions of the state constitution.Penny Weaver, arkansasonline.com, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Your voice is insane.Mary Colurso | mcolurso@al.com, al, 4 Apr. 2023
-
But obviously winning the grand jury prize was insane.Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2023
Adjective
-
In December 2019, the Angolan Embassy hosted an extravagant event at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art to commemorate the 1619 anniversary.Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
-
Families who had given their sons and their future to the regime survived on bread and tea while Assad’s inner circle and other high officials flaunted their wealth on Instagram—luxury cars, seaside mansions, extravagant weddings.Loubna Mrie, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Jim Clash covers extreme adventure and classic rock.Jim Clash, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
-
When researchers exposed tardigrades to the extreme cold, or things like sugar, salt or hydrogen peroxide, the animals began to produce free radicals, or oxygen atoms with an extra electron.Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near over-the-top
Cite this Entry
“Over-the-top.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/over-the-top. Accessed 12 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share