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
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Of the final contenders—Zaida the Afghan hound, Cookie the Maltese, JJ the Lhasa apso, Graham the Old English sheepdog, Cota the Chesapeake Bay retriever, Penny the Doberman pinscher, and Wager the smooth fox terrier—four-year-old Penny was crowned the year’s top dog.
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Poupay Jutharat, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026
Previous studies have shown that chihuahuas are Arizona's favorite dog, but a new study says there may be a new top dog.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 3 Feb. 2026
In the center of it all is Dolly de Leon, who put up a noble fight come awards season for her role as crew member turned top dog, Abigail.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
This nutcracker, though, is the top dog of all nutcrackers.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025
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Poupay Jutharat, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026
Previous studies have shown that chihuahuas are Arizona's favorite dog, but a new study says there may be a new top dog.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 3 Feb. 2026
In the center of it all is Dolly de Leon, who put up a noble fight come awards season for her role as crew member turned top dog, Abigail.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
This nutcracker, though, is the top dog of all nutcrackers.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for top dog
Cite this Entry
“Top dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top%20dog. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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