as in second banana
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Recent Examples of top banana
In Planet of the Apes and for some reason Better Man, these apes are first on the call sheet, Chimps in a Leading Role, top banana.
—
Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2025
So which restaurant did Yelp readers declare top banana?
—Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2022
Guillermo Rodriguez always fancied himself as the top banana.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 9 July 2019
This is, alas, the Yahweh of the early Hebrews, a fickle, petulant, seemingly amoral deity whose childish obsession is with proving himself top banana in the pantheon of primitive gods.
—Sam Sacks, WSJ, 12 July 2018
Companies, government agencies and institutes are spending millions of dollars on research and development to find a new top banana.
—Lucy Craymer, WSJ, 18 Dec. 2017
Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2025
So which restaurant did Yelp readers declare top banana?
—Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2022
Guillermo Rodriguez always fancied himself as the top banana.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 9 July 2019
This is, alas, the Yahweh of the early Hebrews, a fickle, petulant, seemingly amoral deity whose childish obsession is with proving himself top banana in the pantheon of primitive gods.
—Sam Sacks, WSJ, 12 July 2018
Companies, government agencies and institutes are spending millions of dollars on research and development to find a new top banana.
—Lucy Craymer, WSJ, 18 Dec. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for top banana
Noun
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Nick Jonas is currently in negotiations to play Paul Stanley, Kiss' lead singer (but second banana to bassist Gene Simmons, whose casting remains a mystery, as spokesman for the group).—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
7 June 2025
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Gordon has frequently run off attempts from Thunder second banana Jalen Williams, who’s struggled mightily in shooting 24% from the floor the last three games.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
16 May 2025
Noun
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Bernabe caught the attention of Twitter gagman and Banana Capital founder Turner Novak, who’s made a name for himself by entwining industry analysis with creative memes on social media.—
Nina Wolpow,
Forbes,
23 Sep. 2021
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Indeed, many New Yorker artists once relied on gagmen.—
Thomas Vinciguerra,
WSJ,
16 Nov. 2018
Noun
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Their teammates on the night were comedian Jack Dee and Kelly Cates, one of the new presenters of Premier League highlights show Match of the Day.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
6 June 2025
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Bobs and lipstick kisses were blissfully extolled by actors, producers, influencers and comedians on the red carpet on Monday at the 2025 Gotham Television Awards in New York City.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Shakespeare’s world-weary wags spoke truth to King Lear and other royals, while the heyoka, the holy fool of many Sioux tribes, inverted day-to-day logic to provoke healing laughter.—
Michael Snyder,
New York Times,
24 Mar. 2025
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When it was all said and done and Yorkie gave one final wag of her tail, she was revealed to be Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, singer, and actress Erika Jayne.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Top banana.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/top%20banana. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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