top dog

noun

Synonyms of top dognext
: a person, group, or thing in a position of authority especially through victory in a hard-fought competition

Examples of top dog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Border collie The undisputed top dog in the brains department, border collies consistently rank as the most intelligent breed, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC) . Pat Mueller, USA Today, 18 June 2026 Are some of the top dogs struggling? Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 June 2026 New York is used to playing the role of top dog. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 11 June 2026 The team’s top dog, Jalen Brunson, began the play on the opposite side of the court, ready to cut through the paint and receive a pass, which could lead to a quick shot. Fred Katz, New York Times, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for top dog

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of top dog was in 1900

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Cite this Entry

“Top dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top%20dog. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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