top 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of topnext
1
as in highest
being at a point or level higher than all others an office in the top story of the building the top student in our graduating class

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in most
of the greatest or highest degree or quantity your safety is our top priority

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in greatest
of the highest degree going at top speed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in excellent
of the very best kind he's one of the tennis club's top players

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in chief
highest in rank or authority nearly all of the top officials in the state's department of corrections resigned after the scandal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

top

2 of 3

noun

ˈtäp How to pronounce top (audio)
1
as in lid
a piece placed over an open container to hold in, protect, or conceal its contents make sure the top is on the blender before you turn it on or you'll make a mess

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2
as in pinnacle
the highest part or point a hawk's nest at the very top of the tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

top

3 of 3

verb

as in to exceed
to be greater, better, or stronger than the next contender's javelin throw topped the reigning champion's and set a new world record

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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
Adjective
The White House and the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles both denied the allegations. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 Keep checking back during the sale for more Dyson discounts and top Prime Day deals! — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
As Fortune previously reported, the state didn’t crack the top 10 for boomers or Gen X, whose moves skewed heavily toward the Southeast. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 This is the first time the 60-year-old album has been in the top 10 since April 1966. — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
The entrance has a double-height ceiling topped with glass, while the main living room is two stories tall with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the garden. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026 Try topping with a plop of Greek yogurt or some shards of feta. — Emma Laperruque, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for top
Recent Examples of Synonyms for top
  1. upper
  2. most
  3. utmost
  4. excellent
  5. chief
  6. lid
  7. pinnacle
  8. exceed
Adjective
  • If Democrats take both the House and Senate next year, Hegseth could get a debilitating trial in the upper chamber.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The researchers said the largest lifespan improvement represents a theoretical upper limit under optimal conditions.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of upper
Adjective
  • In most cases, bed and board have to be paid for, but there are a series of daily spending caps on different elements, such as food and hotel costs.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Trump and Congress also canceled federal tax credits for most renewable energy projects.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of most
Adjective
  • The safety of those who work and live in prison is of utmost importance.
    — Scott Peyton, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Korean hair care places utmost emphasis on scalp care, and the Scalp Revitalizing Solution Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner are prime examples.
    — Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of utmost
Adjective
  • Her shoes are already a favorite among industry insiders for their sleek appeal and excellent construction.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In late September, the concept was thrust back into the public consciousness thanks to a Variety interview with actor Jack Innanen, who plays the Canadian himbo Paul Baker on the excellent sitcom Adults.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • Misheck Mutize, AfCRA’s chief architect, acknowledged that the agency’s main role would be to steer Africa’s $4 trillion savings into African assets rather than changing how foreign investors see the continent.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Andrew Garfield stars as Altman, with Anora‘s Yura Borisov playing Ilya Sutskever, the chief scientific officer and co-founder of OpenAI who fires Altman.
    — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of chief
Noun
  • But while her lids boasted bouts of shadow, her skin was kept bare.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Russian authorities have kept a tight lid on information about the case, which has been surrounded by secrecy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of lid
Noun
  • Creating brand hunger while ensuring brands remain the pinnacle of creative prestige is no small feat.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026
  • There is another band from the ’70s who in their own way are seen as the pinnacle of technical intensity, which is Steely Dan, who Jeff played with.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of pinnacle
Verb
  • Demand for workers in the travel and tourism sector is projected to exceed supply by more than 43 million people by 2035, according to research by the World Economic Forum.
    — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • South Korean tech giant Samsung posted a third-quarter preliminary operating profit that exceeded 100 trillion won for the first time in its history, while Lululemon poached Athleta CEO Maggie Gauger.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of exceed

Phrases Containing top

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tootsies
top
top banana
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Cite this Entry

“Top.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/top. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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