as in excellent
of the very best kind
hoping to impress the new neighbors, she brought a top-shelf wine as a housewarming gift
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 top-shelf
Scroll on to meet your new top-shelf MVPs.
—
Jackie Fields, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In a career spanning more than 70 years, Noguchi-san has never before created a top-shelf sake for another house.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
That’s the tax, though, Netflix must pay to collaborate with a top-shelf director like Gerwig.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2025
Executive produced by Smith and Zschech, and produced by Paul Mabury (Lauren Daigle, Cory Asbury) and John Hartley (Twila Paris, Leigh Nash), the album also features a top-shelf lineup of musicians, including Smith on piano, Mabury on drums, Dwan Hill on keyboard, and Stu Garrard on guitar.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for top-shelf
Jackie Fields, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In a career spanning more than 70 years, Noguchi-san has never before created a top-shelf sake for another house.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
That’s the tax, though, Netflix must pay to collaborate with a top-shelf director like Gerwig.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2025
Executive produced by Smith and Zschech, and produced by Paul Mabury (Lauren Daigle, Cory Asbury) and John Hartley (Twila Paris, Leigh Nash), the album also features a top-shelf lineup of musicians, including Smith on piano, Mabury on drums, Dwan Hill on keyboard, and Stu Garrard on guitar.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for top-shelf
Recent Examples of Synonyms for top-shelf
Adjective
-
The Steelers will have an opportunity to get back on track against an excellent Green Bay Packers squad next Sunday, before playing the Indianapolis Colts two days before the NFL trade deadline.—
Jon Conahan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
That’s because tipping isn’t in their culture, but Americans still might wish to add gratuity for excellent service.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But George has been terrific with us, putting him in different spots, different positions.—
Jon Machota,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Boyd is a terrific guy, amazing actor, super sweet.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Relax by the wood-burning stove or in the bath that offers superb vistas of the water—all while keeping an eye out for wildlife, including sheep.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
12 Oct. 2025
-
David Beckham scored the superb halfway line goal that catapulted him into international superstardom in 1996.—
Michelle Duncan,
Architectural Digest,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
She's been gone for over 20 years, and so to win this for a soap opera, playing a villain, is really wonderful.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Some, like the two headlining Christie’s upcoming Rare Watches auction in Geneva, have wonderful horological anomalies that set them apart from more run-of-the-mill references.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Telefónica’s Movistar Plus+, the biggest Spanish pay TV/SVOD operator, is having a stellar 2025.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Podziemski was the star for shorthanded Golden State, with a stellar 23-point, eight-assist night on 10 of 16 shooting.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Given these complex three-way dynamics, Delhi will likely continue to upgrade ties to the Taliban regime, and support its efforts to gain greater independence from Pakistani influence.—
Happymon Jacob,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Reese had some great tunes for her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
On our campus, Bobbi Acosta, our (assistant principal), and principal Juan Gonzalez have been more than awesome.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025
-
That was an awesome couple of months.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Regardless, Jones should still be a significant part of the rotation — his excellent field goal percentage and contributions in assists and steals are quite lovely.—
Stan Son,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Undermining the existing system for partisan ends won’t make the picture look any lovelier.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Twin Cities,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Top-shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/top-shelf. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share