as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
The writing was great, but some of the acting was over-the-top.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of over-the-top
How to watch 'The Office' Want to munch on an over-the-top pretzel while watching the show that inspired it?
—
Greta Cross, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
This year’s lineup includes towering pumpkin monsters and eerie graveyard creatures, reflecting growing desires for over-the-top decor.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Some over-the-top emergencies have included earthquakes, mudslides, tsunamis, train collisions releasing toxic fumes into the air, volcano eruptions, even a bizarre porta potty rescue.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Oct. 2025
Something about Taylor will always trigger those over-the-top love-or-hate reactions from people.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for over-the-top
Greta Cross, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
This year’s lineup includes towering pumpkin monsters and eerie graveyard creatures, reflecting growing desires for over-the-top decor.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Some over-the-top emergencies have included earthquakes, mudslides, tsunamis, train collisions releasing toxic fumes into the air, volcano eruptions, even a bizarre porta potty rescue.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Oct. 2025
Something about Taylor will always trigger those over-the-top love-or-hate reactions from people.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for over-the-top
Recent Examples of Synonyms for over-the-top
Adjective
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On Sunday, a 15% chance of flash flooding from excessive rainfall exists along the coast from Ocean City, Maryland to Cape Cod.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
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The problem arises when excessive dust, dirt, and hair accumulate around the coils, preventing them from performing their job adequately.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The bank estimates that two-thirds of the population are living in extreme poverty — less than $3 a day.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
8 Oct. 2025
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The ocean anomaly has also been associated with extreme weather events, including droughts; warmer ocean temperatures can also generally help hurricanes develop more rapidly, and exacerbate fires, says Pastelok.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Yet even this make-do meal felt extravagant.—
Reem Kassis,
The Atlantic,
11 Oct. 2025
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Condon created his newest adaptation by blending the novel's grittiness and its extravagant Broadway adaptation, effectively taking audiences on a journey between reality and fantasy.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Despite being found guilty, Gein was also declared insane and unable to stand trial.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
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The Sony Bravia 8 II 65-inch Smart TV is a living room flex with its insane color, crisp contrast, and movie-theater-like sound.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Falcons sacked McCarthy six times on the way to a 22-6 win, but playing against Allen will present a much steeper challenge.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
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Want access to even steeper discounts?—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The science, literature and economics prizes are presented to the laureates by the Swedish king at a ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death, followed by a lavish banquet at city hall.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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Liz and Dick fell in love on the set of Cleopatra, the ridiculously expensive and lavish epic love story of the ancient Egyptian queen and the Roman general Mark Antony.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Over-the-top.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/over-the-top. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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