overtop
Americanverb (used with object)
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overtops,
present (3rd person singular)
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overtopped,
past participle, past
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overtopping
present participle
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to rise over or above the top of.
a skyscraper that overtops all the other buildings.
-
to rise above in authority; take precedence over; override.
No individual shall overtop the law.
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to surpass or excel.
a rise in sales that overtopped everyone in the industry.
noun
verb
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to exceed in height
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to surpass; excel
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to rise over the top of
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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overtopsimple
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overtopssimple
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have overtoppedperfect
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has overtoppedperfect
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am overtoppingprogressive
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are overtoppingprogressive
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is overtoppingprogressive
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have been overtoppingperfect progressive
-
has been overtoppingperfect progressive
Past
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overtoppedsimple
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had overtoppedperfect
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was overtoppingprogressive
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were overtoppingprogressive
-
had been overtoppingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of overtop
Vocabulary lists containing overtop
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The reservoir behind the dam rose to within 1 foot of the dam’s maximum storage capacity, prompting warnings that water could overtop the dam and worsen already-dangerous conditions downstream, or damage the dam.
From Scientific American ● Jul. 13, 2023
The deadly weather is foiling evacuation plans and straining the state’s aging infrastructure as strong winds topple power lines and fast rising waters overtop levees.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 11, 2023
If the rivers overtop their banks, water can inundate the plot safely, reducing flood risk downriver.
From New York Times ● Jan. 5, 2023
Although it’s unclear if another derecho will form on Wednesday, strong to severe thunderstorm are again forecast to erupt overtop the heat dome along a corridor from the northern Rockies to the Mid-Atlantic.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 6, 2022
But a 40-foot wave would easily overtop the walls and destroy everything in its path.
From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland
Salt water that overtops the underwater sill is still lower in salinity than the water behind the sill toward the Gulf, Jones said.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 5, 2023
Porterville residents evacuate as Lake Success overtops the Schafer Dam spillway.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 16, 2023
The ocean regularly overtops dunes and washes out much of Highway 12 — the only road linking Hatteras Island and the rest of Dare County.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 6, 2019
In this drone photo released by Duke Energy, flooding from the swollen Cape Fear River overtops an earthen dike at Sutton Lake, a 1,100-acre lake at the L.V.
From Fox News ● Sep. 21, 2018
Being the first and most elemental of our five physiological systems the Alimentive—when it overtops the others—produces a more elemental, infantile nature.
From How to Analyze People on Sight Through the Science of Human Analysis: The Five Human Types by Elsie Lincoln Benedict
Defences built five years ago were already being overtopped by floods, she said.
From BBC ● Dec. 9, 2025
After three days of rain, the dam collapsed in May 2020, releasing a torrent that overtopped the downstream Sanford Dam and flooded the city of Midland.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 8, 2023
Dams that are small and located in rural areas may cause less damage if they are overtopped or fail.
From Scientific American ● Jul. 13, 2023
In 2017, heavy rainfall flooded the area and nearly overtopped the Oroville Dam.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2023
Even without them, Steelskin looked formidable—a lean and wiry youth who overtopped Ser Barristan by half a foot.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
The city has been upgrading segments of seawalls over the years to reduce seawater overtopping, but much of its harbor-front property remains under threat.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
"There is a risk of flooding from waves and spray overtopping to low lying areas of the coast, from Friday evening until Sunday morning."
From BBC ● Feb. 10, 2024
Rivers and streams could swell, overtopping their banks and flooding the neighborhoods surrounding them.
From New York Times ● Feb. 5, 2024
But once built, you don’t want water coming through your roof, your siding or your windows — or overtopping your foundation or slab.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 4, 2023
The waves rose in growing fury, each overtopping its fellow, till in a very few minutes the lately glassy sea was like a roaring and devouring monster.
From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
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