1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

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

Relevance

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 Everything that makes Las Vegas fabulous — bright lights, over-the-top design, opulent food and drinks, and eccentric characters — can be found in spades at Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 10 Sep. 2026 Each show has a different theme that will transport you to an over-the-top setting, from a masquerade ball to old Hollywood. — Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2026 Coffee Shop Banana Bread Crunch Muffins These banana bread muffins from Indianapolis food bloggers Sonja and Alex Overhiser are over-the-top delicious—quite literally. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 6 Sep. 2026 Understatement rather than flash, over-the-top ditched in favor of restraint. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 2 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
  • There has been some discussion about whether tripling up on Chelsea in attack is excessive or puts too many eggs in one basket.
    — Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • That includes the power outage shutting down cell phone networks and Sunburn deliberately not being preachy about the often-talked about mental health risks for young people from excessive technology use.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of excessive
Adjective
  • With local cops, plagued by rumors of departmental misdeeds, looking for a peaceful solution and federal authorities contemplating extreme action, the situation escalates.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
  • But winter and spring brought extreme drought when the wheat needed moisture to establish itself.
    — Joshua A. Bickel, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of extreme
Adjective
  • Whereas Putin takes extravagant risks on the international stage but is loath to hold his associates accountable for incompetence, Xi is just the opposite.
    — Jonathan A. Czin, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Bob Mackie, the designer whose glittering, extravagant creations helped define the look of some of the 20th century’s biggest stars, has died at 87.
    — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of extravagant
Adjective
  • That everyone commits so fearlessly — and with such straight faces — to the Zellners’ berserk world-building is a joy to behold, aided by a terrific jukebox soundtrack and a chaotic, entropic plot that builds and builds to insane levels of carnage.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Sure, this sounds insane, but the real insanity is how much New York mismanages its education system and how little attention the problem receives in Albany.
    — Zilvinas "Z" Silenas, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of insane
Adjective
  • Venture through the steep, winding lanes lined with high-end boutiques and restaurants while taking in panoramic views of the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea below.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Stirring regularly, bring the milk to a boil over medium heat, then turn off and let steep until the rice is ready.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of steep
Adjective
  • Zendaya chose a glittering Prada gown bedecked in shimmering crystals with a plunging tulle neckline, along with Mikimoto jewelry, including lavish pearl-and-diamond earrings and two rings from the Petals collection.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The short clip highlights a lavish chandelier and floral centerpieces, and even shows Melania carefully arranging elegant silverware and glassware on the dinner table.
    — StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 19 Sep. 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 21 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of elegiac

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All