top-down
adjective
1
: controlled, directed, or instituted from the top level
a top-down corporate structure
2
: proceeding by breaking large general aspects (as of a problem) into smaller more detailed constituents : working from the general to the specific
top-down programming
top-down design
Examples of top-down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Swarming leadership thrives in environments where agility and innovation are key, ensuring organizations can respond to problems faster and more effectively than any top-down approach ever could.
—
Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
That's way before Boston Unity's eventual selection as the only bidder.
Expect Kraft to characterize the secret early negotiations as part of Wu's top-down way of running City Hall.
—Mike Deehan, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
Critics say the top-down approach can stifle creativity and individual research interests.
—Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Feb. 2025
The scientists and engineers of the electronic age, in contrast, did not respond well to top-down instruction.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for top-down
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Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
That's way before Boston Unity's eventual selection as the only bidder.
Expect Kraft to characterize the secret early negotiations as part of Wu's top-down way of running City Hall.
—Mike Deehan, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
Critics say the top-down approach can stifle creativity and individual research interests.
—Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Feb. 2025
The scientists and engineers of the electronic age, in contrast, did not respond well to top-down instruction.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for top-down
Cite this Entry
“Top-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top-down. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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