top-down
adjective
1
: controlled, directed, or instituted from the top level
a top-down corporate structure
2
: proceeding by breaking large general aspects (as of a problem) into smaller more detailed constituents : working from the general to the specific
top-down programming
top-down design
Examples of top-down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Handling a disruption calls for more than issuing top-down directives.
—
Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Dip the apples top-down into the candy melts, set them on wax paper, and cover them with sprinkles.
—Kimberly Stoney, Parents, 19 Mar. 2025
Related Stories For real progress in ethical sourcing, brands must move beyond top-down compliance and collaborate with suppliers as true partners.
—Adele Stafford, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2025
The latest chapter provides more hurdles for both Trump’s top-down and bottom-up efforts to bring the federal bureaucracy to heel.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for top-down
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Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Dip the apples top-down into the candy melts, set them on wax paper, and cover them with sprinkles.
—Kimberly Stoney, Parents, 19 Mar. 2025
Related Stories For real progress in ethical sourcing, brands must move beyond top-down compliance and collaborate with suppliers as true partners.
—Adele Stafford, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2025
The latest chapter provides more hurdles for both Trump’s top-down and bottom-up efforts to bring the federal bureaucracy to heel.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for top-down
Cite this Entry
“Top-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top-down. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
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