over the top

1 of 2

phrase

: beyond the bounds of what is expected, usual, normal, or appropriate
: extremely or excessively flamboyant or outrageous
an over-the-top performance

Examples of over the top in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
The most likely outcome of all of this is that AI becomes a tool like Photoshop – generally useful, occasionally over-the-top, but not a replacement for photographers or even editors, whose roles evolved alongside technology. Cortney Harding, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 Bounnakhom’s Burtgers specializes in an unapologetically over-the-top smashburger with a decadent cheese bath for dipping. Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 20 May 2026 Joining her in red were Lena Dunham and Gwendoline Christie, who both arrived in over-the-top red ensembles. Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 20 May 2026 Deliberately schlocky and over-the-top, the production is a mere backdrop for the psychodrama happening off set between Elle and her costar Dominique (Havana Rose Liu), a girl her own age who’s also unfortunately her stepmother. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for over the top

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of over the top was in 1980

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Cite this Entry

“Over the top.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/over%20the%20top. Accessed 28 May. 2026.

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