top dog

noun

: 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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As soon as the underdog becomes the top dog, their defeat is to some a triumph. Jared Weiss, New York Times, 11 May 2025 This marks the first time the Tigers have entered the postseason as the sport’s top dog. Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025 There’s a new top dog in women’s college gymnastics. Caroline Price, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 Just wait until the top dogs get going again, which is all but inevitable. Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 2 May 2025 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 May. 2025.

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