as in second banana
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Recent Examples of top banana
Inflated prices are likely due to Trump’s trade war, with tariffs imposed on the country’s top banana suppliers.
—
Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
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
Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
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
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
-
Indeed, many New Yorker artists once relied on gagmen.—
Thomas Vinciguerra,
WSJ,
16 Nov. 2018
Noun
-
The restaurant also has a stage and had been bringing in live music and comedians.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The comedian wrote a short but powerful caption to mark year nine on Instagram in August 2025.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Maybe a nameless urban wag first dubbed them battleships on some Fleet Street in another town.—
Jody Mamone,
Hartford Courant,
17 July 2025
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Two hours later, an emotional encounter full of tail wags and smiles played out as Captain and Wood were joyfully reunited in the most unusual of circumstances.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Top banana.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/top%20banana. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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