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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Recent Examples of over-the-top
The fit is just light and loose enough to give us modern Wuthering Heights or Bridgerton vibes, but not so over-the-top that it can’t be worn in real life scenarios.
—
Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 11 May 2026
Diggins provided the type of over-the-top service that Cardoso sought for most of her WNBA career, setting the young center up for 22 points on 15 shots.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2026
Beast Games, a spectacle of over-the-top competition, offers 1,000 contestants the chance to win a $5 million prize with other high-value prizes being doled out in the process.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
As in the games, the violence is intentionally over-the-top and cartoony, never aiming to even remotely approach realistic.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for over-the-top
Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 11 May 2026
Diggins provided the type of over-the-top service that Cardoso sought for most of her WNBA career, setting the young center up for 22 points on 15 shots.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2026
Beast Games, a spectacle of over-the-top competition, offers 1,000 contestants the chance to win a $5 million prize with other high-value prizes being doled out in the process.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
As in the games, the violence is intentionally over-the-top and cartoony, never aiming to even remotely approach realistic.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for over-the-top
Recent Examples of Synonyms for over-the-top
Adjective
-
The two highest-ranking Republicans in the state legislature called Wednesday for former New Britain mayor Erin Stewart to consider dropping out of the governor’s race over reported excessive spending on the city’s credit card.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
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Parents Alexus Benavidez and Rauf Scott of Collin County filed a complaint this month against Kids ‘R’ Kids of Lawler Farm in Frisco, alleging their 3-year-old son was the victim of excessive physical force that included yanking, spanking and smacking the toddler.—
Lina Ruiz
May 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Nothing too extreme thus far — no darkness retreat, ayahuasca journey or draft-night hijacking — but still, enough to make the Steelers feel just a bit uneasy.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
Outdoor succulents should be kept somewhat sheltered from extreme weather such as high winds or heavy rains.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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The extravagant villa took a decade to build and was completed in 2018, crafted by architect and designer Peter Marino.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
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From cheeky shots of celebrities like Jane Fonda and Arnold Schwarzenegger to extravagant, sensual portfolios of America’s Olympic squads, the magazine’s pantheon of photographers have helped to define the genre of sports portraiture.—
Kahina Sekkaï,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
In any other historical period, proposing such a career trajectory would’ve seemed mildly insane — like if Peter Buck had followed up Fables of the Reconstruction by producing Whitney Houston instead of the Feelies.—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
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For so much of the season, Rachel is low-key stoned, which can keep her at a remove, even when things are getting really insane.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
During the journey, passengers pass waterfalls, rivers, and steep valleys, crossing over 41 bridges and through 13 tunnels.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
11 May 2026
-
La Gomera’s contrasts between semi-desert and cloud forest make for steep, varied days.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
For now, the closest thing to another A24 eatery is the new Ambassadors Clubhouse, a lavish Indian restaurant imported from London that shares a building with the studio’s offices in Koreatown and by extension some of A24’s aura.—
Julian Sancton,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
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The villa delivers highly personalized service, such as toddler essentials, lavish breakfasts, and unlimited Leclerc Briant Champagne sourced from nearby vineyards.—
Maya Kachroo-Levine,
Travel + Leisure,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Over-the-top.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/over-the-top. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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