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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Lacy and Waxse were the top two vote-getters in Tuesday’s primary election. — Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 12 Aug. 2026 Made of water-repellent nylon, the bag features a top handle and removable crossbody strap, tons of pouches and compartments for organization, and a padded laptop pocket. — Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
As far as views from the top go, this one is pretty dang good. — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 Within OpenAI, there are rising female execs one level below the top like Ashley Alexander, who leads consumer verticals, and Joy Jiao, who was just elevated under Brockman as head of life sciences. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
While there was a settlement here in Roman times, Tomar’s importance started in the 12th century with the construction of a hill-topping castle, the Convento de Cristo. — Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2026 It’s been over 1,000 days since Kansas City topped 100 degrees. — Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 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
  • Beginning Friday, and lasting into next weekend and beyond, a pattern change will set in, bringing a September feel to the Northeast that will feature much lower humidity levels, and highs in the upper 70s to low 80s.
    — Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Over the past seven years, the net worth of America’s poorest grew much faster than that of the upper middle class.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of upper
Adjective
  • So there’s something really cathartic about watching Ulf — the lowliest, most base, comedic and ludicrous of all the Targaryens and dragonriders — beating him.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Because of safe, effective immunizations, most Americans do not remember vaccine preventable deaths and have never known anyone disabled from illnesses like smallpox, measles, rubella, whooping cough, or polio.
    — Dr. Marianne Parshley, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of most
Adjective
  • Apricots can bring softness to your scent wardrobe, and Dior’s Jasmin des Anges does it with the utmost sophistication.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Most of the 16 courses presented during its omakase dinner service (a smaller version is available at lunch) include fish flown in from Japan, treated with the utmost care and precise cuts.
    — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of utmost
Adjective
  • Albies is an excellent contact hitter, putting the bat on the ball, and driving the ball to the gaps.
    — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Located in the heart of the Marais, a restaurant at the Centre Pompidou would have to be pretty special to compete against all the excellent neighboring options.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • United great Paul Scholes, Salford’s chief football advisor, made clear just last week that the club are still chasing something bigger but, for now, the current setup seems just right.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Amir Becker, Dream’s chief business and strategy officer, said the way the AI system operated in this latest case was alarming.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of chief
Noun
  • Meanwhile, donning night-vision giggles, Knoxville gleefully attacks them with trash can lids and tasers.
    — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Binface never breaks character and delivers snarky ripostes when challenged to lift the lid.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of lid
Noun
  • The pinnacle was Brees' Super Bowl MVP performance against Indianapolis in February 2010 in Miami, marked by his second-half passing numbers of 19 completions on 20 attempts for 151 yards and two TDs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • For the select list of comedians who have sold out the place, filling the arena is considered a pinnacle of achievement.
    — Hillary Atkin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of pinnacle
Verb
  • Liverpool will be guaranteed to play at least 48 times this season, and the expectation will be to comfortably exceed 50 matches.
    — Andy Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Soil samples from the two elementary school campuses, City Terrace and Christopher Dena, exceeded the applicable regulatory screening levels of lead, which were flagged for further evaluation.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 12 Aug. 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 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on top

Nglish: Translation of top for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about top

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