top-heavy
adjective
1
: having the top part too heavy for the lower part
2
: having too high a proportion of administrators
a top-heavy bureaucracy
3
: oversupplied with one element at the expense of others : lacking balance
a novel top-heavy with description
Examples of top-heavy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cons The top-heavy design is bulky and more cumbersome to maneuver.
—
Camryn Rabideau, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023
Cons The design is top-heavy and can easily fall over if left unattended.
—Camryn Rabideau, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023
The device's motor is, according to Dyson, three times lighter than that of an average hair dryer and located in the handle, which makes the entire device less top-heavy and much easier on your wrists.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 25 Oct. 2023
The stock market is top-heavy, depending disproportionately on a handful of big companies.
—Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2023
However, this makes the head top-heavy, which can make handling this lopper a bit tricky.
—Jacquelene Amoquandoh, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2023
Still, the most important playoff previews came courtesy of the Dodgers’ middle three hitters, who provided the kind of high-leverage production that can overcome pitching deficiencies, prop up an otherwise top-heavy lineup, and just maybe prolong the club’s upcoming postseason run.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2023
Tight end is the most top-heavy position in fantasy, so finding this type of value on the waiver wire can make a big difference.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2023
Cities like Lisbon, Paris and Alexandria become top-heavy soundstage parodies of themselves, as a child might dream them after leafing through a picture book.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 1 Sep. 2023
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Camryn Rabideau, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023
Cons The design is top-heavy and can easily fall over if left unattended.
—Camryn Rabideau, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023
The device's motor is, according to Dyson, three times lighter than that of an average hair dryer and located in the handle, which makes the entire device less top-heavy and much easier on your wrists.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 25 Oct. 2023
The stock market is top-heavy, depending disproportionately on a handful of big companies.
—Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2023
However, this makes the head top-heavy, which can make handling this lopper a bit tricky.
—Jacquelene Amoquandoh, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2023
Still, the most important playoff previews came courtesy of the Dodgers’ middle three hitters, who provided the kind of high-leverage production that can overcome pitching deficiencies, prop up an otherwise top-heavy lineup, and just maybe prolong the club’s upcoming postseason run.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2023
Tight end is the most top-heavy position in fantasy, so finding this type of value on the waiver wire can make a big difference.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2023
Cities like Lisbon, Paris and Alexandria become top-heavy soundstage parodies of themselves, as a child might dream them after leafing through a picture book.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 1 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'top-heavy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near top-heavy
Cite this Entry
“Top-heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top-heavy. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
top-heavy
adjectiveˈtäp-ˌhev-ē
: having the top part too heavy for the lower part
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