as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
The writing was great, but some of the acting was over-the-top.
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Recent Examples of over-the-top
Why this hits the sweet spot The tease taps into two things people really love: over-the-top food drops and brand chaos.
—
Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
This summer’s buzzy tours—from Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter to Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Grand National Tour—have also seen crowds show up in style, though thus far, Mayhem Ball looks have emerged as especially over-the-top, with some dead-ringers for iconic Gaga ‘fits.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 22 July 2025
The incident became part of the over-the-top tableau of the madman’s career: biting the head off a live bat (true), biting the head off a live dove (also true), tossing a 50-inch TV out a hotel window (obviously true).
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 22 July 2025
From over-the-top challenges, dramatic eliminations, jaw-dropping moments, iconic bombshells and even a surprise appearance from Megan Thee Stallion, audiences were hooked to their TV screens for six days a week since its premiere.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for over-the-top
Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
This summer’s buzzy tours—from Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter to Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Grand National Tour—have also seen crowds show up in style, though thus far, Mayhem Ball looks have emerged as especially over-the-top, with some dead-ringers for iconic Gaga ‘fits.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 22 July 2025
The incident became part of the over-the-top tableau of the madman’s career: biting the head off a live bat (true), biting the head off a live dove (also true), tossing a 50-inch TV out a hotel window (obviously true).
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 22 July 2025
From over-the-top challenges, dramatic eliminations, jaw-dropping moments, iconic bombshells and even a surprise appearance from Megan Thee Stallion, audiences were hooked to their TV screens for six days a week since its premiere.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for over-the-top
Recent Examples of Synonyms for over-the-top
Adjective
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The weather service predicts that parts of Maryland remain at risk for excessive rainfall and the potential for flash floods.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
14 July 2025
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez took to X on Saturday to say his office was closely monitoring the situation and advised use excessive caution in the affected areas.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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This surge in extreme heat drives up energy demand and poses serious health risks to vulnerable populations.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
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As such, the film is much more concerned with modern society than the director’s past work, contorting the anxiety and extreme politicization that arose during the early pandemic to fit into Aster’s peculiar world.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Breaking up the wearying journey, devotees gather for outbreaks of extravagant revelry – ground-shaking music and dancing fueled by devotion, ganja and alcohol, as befits in their eyes Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and renewal, to whom the festival is dedicated.—
Aishwarya S. Iyer,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
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Trump and his allies have seized on the project as evidence of wasteful spending by alleging the Fed’s building revamp of including extravagant rooftop gardens, VIP elevators, and high-end dining rooms—claims Powell and the Fed have strongly denied.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
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The emu egg—a two pound, eight-inch ovoid with a sultry teal shell gently speckled in pale green—seemed like just the right absurdist final flourish for an already insane endeavor.—
Helen Rosner,
The New Yorker,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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However, Trump has imposed steep new taxes on imports of Canadian steel, aluminum and autos, and Carney's team has focused on trying to get those eliminated or reduced.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 July 2025
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But Trump has resisted backing a bipartisan U.S. bill to impose steep sanctions on Russia, instead giving Russia 50 days to accept a peace deal or face sanctions on its energy exports.—
Michelle L. Price,
Chicago Tribune,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Want to know how $10 million given to Hope Florida, the charity tied to First Lady Casey DeSantis, wound up paying for political ads, with more charity money spent on lavish golf tournaments?—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Aug. 2025
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Working alongside one of the nation’s most lauded bird experts, this lavish residential community seeks to transform their North Village district into a haven for both migratory and resident species.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Over-the-top.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/over-the-top. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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