as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
The writing was great, but some of the acting was over-the-top.
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Recent Examples of over-the-top
The film, released two months prior to Mean Girls, offers a more whimsical, over-the-top take on teenage dreams and individuality, showcasing Lola’s personal journey of self-expression, wrapped in a colorful, exaggerated world of drama and dreams.
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Jane Lacroix, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
The first part of Perry’s over-the-top thriller series features many unbelievable twists and turns throughout its eight episodes, but none match the absolute delirium of Rain’s arc.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 1 Nov. 2024
In the over-the-top new melodrama from French writer-director Jacques Audiard (Rust and Bone, A Prophet), Gascón plays a dangerous Mexico City drug kingpin named Manitas who undergoes gender-affirming surgery to fulfill his dream of being a woman, becoming the titular Emilia.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024
One false move and your over-the-top turns will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for over-the-top 
Jane Lacroix, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
The first part of Perry’s over-the-top thriller series features many unbelievable twists and turns throughout its eight episodes, but none match the absolute delirium of Rain’s arc.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 1 Nov. 2024
In the over-the-top new melodrama from French writer-director Jacques Audiard (Rust and Bone, A Prophet), Gascón plays a dangerous Mexico City drug kingpin named Manitas who undergoes gender-affirming surgery to fulfill his dream of being a woman, becoming the titular Emilia.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024
One false move and your over-the-top turns will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for over-the-top
Recent Examples of Synonyms for over-the-top
Adjective
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What’s more, research also shows there's a sweet spot in AI politeness - excessive formality doesn't yield better results, but professional courtesy consistently does.Bernard Marr, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli, causing our senses to work overtime on what is not necessary or important.Shira Gill, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Your voice is insane.Mary Colurso | mcolurso@al.com, al, 4 Apr. 2023
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The Republican and right-wing reaction is just insane.Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 31 Mar. 2023
Adjective
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Combs' former birthday parties included red carpet entrances, extravagant cakes, and an A-list guest list including the Kardashian/Jenner family, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Pharrell, Usher, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, and Ivana Trump.David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
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Known for her extravagant Halloween costumes over the years, Klum and her husband Tom arrived as female and male versions of E.T. from Steven Spielberg's 1982 film E.T.Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Colorado wildfires are becoming more extreme, and fire officials must seek new and better ways to prevent and fight them.The Denver Post, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
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Trump’s vituperative persona, his enmity toward multilateralism, and his extreme policy agenda could easily sink the United States’ prospects for meaningful leadership of the G-20.Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near over-the-top
Cite this Entry
“Over-the-top.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/over-the-top. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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