top dog

Example 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 top dog While New York has been seen as the favorite to land Alonso, this report indicates the Mets are no longer the top dogs in the sweepstakes. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025 For some teams, a dark-horse mind-set might be better for strategic reasons: underdogs tend to focus on the positive outcome (winning), while top dogs tend to avoid negative outcomes (not losing), which could explain why underdogs sometimes play looser and with an eye to higher risks and rewards. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2025 While smash burgers remain, ironically, top dog within the fast food universe, one unsung iteration, the Oklahoma smash burger, is finally getting its due. Brock Keeling, Orange County Register, 17 Jan. 2025 Of course, the Chiefs won’t be playing, but the six teams that hope to unseat KC as the AFC’s (and NFL’s) top dog will be in action. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for top dog
Recent Examples of Synonyms for top dog
Noun
  • But in the eyes of Egypt’s rulers after the 1952 revolution, economic development was the real key to modernity.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Now, she's passed the Queen of Pop's 12 rulers, establishing herself as the female act with the greatest number of No. 1s.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Rancho Bernardo—With returning state placer and Division 1 titlist Mary Snider (140) plus Division champ Maisen Vesco (145) leading the way, the Broncos qualified six wrestlers into the Masters meet.
    Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Brooke Strauss of Glastonbury (CT) was the top placer from New England, finishing 22nd overall at 18:32.7.
    Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • This team has cast off its familiar underdog mantle and embraced being the overdog.
    Jeré Longman, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2023
  • It’s always funny when a show about underdogs is … an overdog.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2021

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Cite this Entry

“Top dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/top%20dog. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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