Synonyms of top-shelfnext
1
: of the best quality
top-shelf products
Reading does have one top-shelf tourist attraction, a gorgeous pagoda that sits atop a mountain.Joe Queenan
2
[from the placement of sexually explicit magazines for sale on high shelves out of the reach of children] British : containing pornographic material
top-shelf magazines
This year, retailers are going to come under increased pressure to clean up their acts. Of course, they're not obliged to sell top-shelf mags.The Grocer

Examples of top-shelf in a Sentence

hoping to impress the new neighbors, she brought a top-shelf wine as a housewarming gift
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The creators’ fund is designed to provide top-shelf AI tools and funding to creators from a range of styles and backgrounds. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 May 2026 That same design is now used on the rear motor of the electric Cayenne’s top-shelf Turbo model. Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026 This year’s Marché is loaded with horror and sci-fi packages pairing top-shelf filmmakers with our biggest stars, proving that genre has become world cinema’s lingua franca. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 15 May 2026 Food and beverages are all-inclusive, with an extensive drink list that covers local Bhutanese beers and whisky (only top-shelf spirits cost extra). Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for top-shelf

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of top-shelf was in 1854

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Top-shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top-shelf. Accessed 29 May. 2026.

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