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 European Union’s top diplomat said Russia’s army is struggling to make progress on the front line and wants to scare off Ukraine’s Western backers with its air campaign. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 At the start of the year, top DHS officials, including Mullin, urged lawmakers to provide funding specifically for purchasing more body cameras and training officers on how to use them. — Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
Billy Hatcher’s homer in the top of the 18th inning gave the Houston Astros an 8-7 victory over the Chicago Cubs. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Take vegetables to the next level by simply sprinkling some of it over top. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
For international travelers, Rome, Vancouver, London, Dublin and Paris top the list. — Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Snowflake – Shares surged more than 20% after the company's second-quarter results topped analyst expectations. — Lee Ying Shan,tobias Burns, CNBC, 2 Sep. 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
  • The trooper grabs the man by his wrist and his dreadlocks and began yanking his upper body through the window, the video shows.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Soon afterward, the telescope separated successfully from the rocket’s upper stage, drawing applause from ground controllers.
    — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of upper
Adjective
  • The win was a step in the right direction for a lineup that has struggled at the plate for most of the last two months.
    — Katie Woo, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Bryan Danielson was more excited about McGuinness reaching the ropes than most of Wembley Stadium, but Nigel ultimately tapped out.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of most
Adjective
  • Her reputation for excellence and the utmost integrity is well earned.
    — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • And this big step forward in this fix is critical, as these antennae help to connect the space station to Earth, which is of the utmost importance.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of utmost
Adjective
  • Alas, this excellent advice goes into one of Joe’s ears and out the other.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Owls are predators whose eyes are positioned on the front of their heads, giving them excellent depth perception.
    — Abigail Witmer, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • These bags come from Maria Grazia Chiuri’s fall 2026 collection, her first as Fendi’s chief creative officer—and something of a homecoming for the Roman designer.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Former senior vice president of people and culture Erin Dangerfield, now Golden State’s chief people officer, allegedly questioned Vasquez about her responses in the survey.
    — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of chief
Noun
  • The process eliminates the water-slurry stage and associated drying steps, allowing fibers to form directly into rigid packaging, including trays, bowls, plates and beverage lids.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • But Jobs, who scoffed at formal succession planning and kept a tight lid on his company’s operations, did take the issue seriously, corporate governance experts told CNN.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of lid
Noun
  • By Christmas it had been canonized as the pinnacle of ‘sad girl lit’ with Martha taking her place in that post-Fleabag lineage of fractured female characters.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Researchers told me that many Democrats believe that the pinnacle of achievement is having a good education and a fruitful career.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of pinnacle
Verb
  • India's quarterly economic growth has exceeded expectations several times over the past year, defying a bleak global trade environment, high energy prices and geopolitical uncertainties.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Crews are assessing damage, but repairs may be delayed in areas with winds exceeding 35 mph.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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