: extremely or excessively flamboyant or outrageous
an over-the-top performance

Examples of over-the-top in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Sandler’s portrayal of Happy Gilmore has become one of his most famous for his over-the-top comedic anger, which turns more heartfelt as the film progresses. Skyler Trepel, People.com, 26 July 2025 He was best known for his over-the-top showmanship, having adapted a charismatic, all-American persona that helped bring professional wrestling to the mainstream. EW.com, 24 July 2025 Though critically panned, the film developed a cult following and became a quintessential example of Hogan's brand of over-the-top heroism. Hannah Parry amanda Castro joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025 Advertisement Even Comic Book Guy, once a parody of The Simpsons’ most over-the-top haters, has now become a beloved avatar for fanboys and fangirls, so much so that the writers gave him his own poignant origin story. Keith Murphy, Time, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for over-the-top

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of over-the-top was in 1980

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Cite this Entry

“Over-the-top.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/over-the-top. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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