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
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
Viewers would see the new Tory top dog as a successor to the heroic age of plucky British polar exploration.
—Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for top dog
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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
Viewers would see the new Tory top dog as a successor to the heroic age of plucky British polar exploration.
—Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 June 2026
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 19 Jun. 2026.
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