overtop

verb

over·​top ˌō-vər-ˈtäp How to pronounce overtop (audio)
overtopped; overtopping; overtops

transitive verb

1
: to rise above the top of
2
: to be superior to
3

Examples of overtop in a Sentence

a manager whose arrogance was overtopped only by his ineptitude
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Consider creating a well of ketchup to dip your hash browns into (rather than drizzling the ketchup overtop them), and legend has it some folks have smuggled their own toppings. Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2024 Floodwaters overtopped the 124-foot tall Lake Lure hydroelectric dam today, forcing evacuations from the inundation zone downstream. NBC News, 28 Sep. 2024 Rutherford County's Emergency Management ordered residents who live on certain roads to evacuate to higher areas due to water overtopping the Lake Lure Dam, according to a Facebook post shared by the government office Friday morning. Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2024 Multiple drainage canals in Metairie were overtopped and overflowed into streets and neighborhoods according to Scott Walker, Council At-Large for Jefferson Parish. CBS News, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overtop 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overtop was circa 1594

Dictionary Entries Near overtop

Cite this Entry

“Overtop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overtop. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

overtop

verb
over·​top ˌō-vər-ˈtäp How to pronounce overtop (audio)
1
: to rise above the top of : go beyond in height
overtopped my cousin by 3 inches
2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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