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.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of over-the-top
While this over-the-top luxury can be dazzling, the most beautiful spots in Palm Beach are the side streets and alleyways off of Worth Avenue.
—
Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
As the adult CeeCee, Jessica Vosk, a fine powerhouse singer, chooses – or is directed to choose – an over-the-top style that draws heavily, naturally enough, from Midler (the outré style, the Merman-esque volume and chanteuse vulnerability).
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
More concrete jungle than beachy escape, New York has everything from affordable accommodations to over-the-top luxury stays, incredible museums, parks, historical sites, and more.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026
The alt-pop of the past fifteen years has delighted in over-the-top personae and world-building.
—Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for over-the-top
Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
As the adult CeeCee, Jessica Vosk, a fine powerhouse singer, chooses – or is directed to choose – an over-the-top style that draws heavily, naturally enough, from Midler (the outré style, the Merman-esque volume and chanteuse vulnerability).
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
More concrete jungle than beachy escape, New York has everything from affordable accommodations to over-the-top luxury stays, incredible museums, parks, historical sites, and more.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026
The alt-pop of the past fifteen years has delighted in over-the-top personae and world-building.
—Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for over-the-top
Recent Examples of Synonyms for over-the-top
Adjective
-
The authors argued that the typical American diet contained excessive calories and fat and lacked sufficient amounts of complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
-
This development enables high-performance batteries to function without the bulky pressurization hardware that often adds excessive weight and volume to electric vehicle battery packs.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Typical pulsating aurora displays last 10 to 20 minutes, but Kerss had captured almost three hours of extreme pulsating auroras — an unusually powerful display and one of the longest on record, according to the statement.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Threats are growing from more extreme weather.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Derby fashion became even bigger, more extravagant, and brighter.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Figures move across these planes in extravagant silhouette, heads tilted just so, fingers stiffly splayed and elbows akimbo.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Bringing his bag of insane tricks and witty banter to the Wilshire Ebell Theatre for two nights on May 8 and 9, Willman’s crowd work, storytelling and intricate tricks are inspired by everyday life.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Just this insane profanity-laden tirade that went on and on and on.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
An additional 11,100 acres will no longer be developable under the new Urban Limit Line boundaries, but much of that land is made up of steep hills or in fire or flood zones, according to a county map.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
Globally, roughly 840 million jobs, about one in four, are exposed to generative AI, with high-income economies facing the steepest exposure at 33% of all jobs.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Warnings, laments, and odes to renewal were expressed pictorially as dying days under bleeding heavens, belching volcanoes, proud icebergs, lavish rainbows amid spangling, mist-suffusing sunlight and dawns of peace and hope.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Bezos is no stranger to seeing protesters come between himself and a lavish celebration.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Over-the-top.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/over-the-top. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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