over-the-top

adjective

Definition of over-the-topnext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of over-the-top Related Stories Cruise, declaiming every line, acting with blind bluster and a mean gleam of good-ol’-boy joy, makes Digger a walking cartoon — a larger-than-life satire of over-the-top American arrogance, like LBJ crossed with Foghorn Leghorn. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026 And don’t forget to pack your best red outfit for Virgin’s over-the-top deck party, Scarlet Night, which inevitably ends up with everyone splashing around in the pool until the wee hours of the morning. — Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026 Take the subversive label Matières Fécales who started the week by shutting down the Place de la République, welcoming a cadre of over-the-top attendees. — Phil Oh, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026 Among the standout ensembles on display, sheer looks were trending in addition to over-the-top boots. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for over-the-top
Recent Examples of Synonyms for over-the-top
  1. excessive
  2. extreme
  3. extravagant
  4. insane
  5. steep
  6. lavish
Adjective
  • During their interviews, Haddock said the researchers found a lack of recognition by firefighters that their consumption levels were considered excessive.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Inland, southern San Bernardino County faces at least a 40% chance of excessive rain that could result in flash flooding through Saturday night, said Julie Phillipson, lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Las Vegas.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of excessive
Adjective
  • The government is widely regarded as the most extreme Israel has ever had.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Teymouri filed a motion last week seeking to have the couple held on $100 million bail, citing their extreme wealth.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of extreme
Adjective
  • Like most of the country’s entries over the past decade, this blockbuster epic — a summer box office hit at home — makes for an extravagant display of the strength of the nation’s commercial film industry.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Noem was also under fire for extravagant spending at the department, while placing restrictions on FEMA disaster relief funds.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of extravagant
Adjective
  • First and foremost, as a homeowner myself the property taxes are insane and continue to go up.
    — Stephen Korka, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
  • That may be the name of her next album, but Venus’ insane popularity also speaks to the way Metropia is moving forward, constantly looking for the next shiny thing.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of insane
Adjective
  • That’s an indicator investors were demanding a steep premium for holding its debt.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, there has been a steep decline in deforestation in Latin America and the Caribbean, leaving the two regions almost on a par.
    — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of steep
Adjective
  • Lin has been a steady hand in Netflix’s film operations for two-and-a-half years, ushered in to stop the lavish spending of the streamer’s formative Scott Stuber era.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
  • World-class accommodations and dining, wellness facilities, and an array of indulgent activities and events are transforming harbors into truly lavish havens.
    — Chrissie McClatchie, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of lavish

Browse Nearby Words

over the moon
over-the-top
overthrew
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Over-the-top.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/over-the-top. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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