overtop
Americanverb (used with object)
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to rise over or above the top of.
a skyscraper that overtops all the other buildings.
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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
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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
Rivers, creeks and streams in several areas are once again forecast to overtop — including some, such as the Cosumnes, Salinas and Russian rivers, that are still swollen from a similar storm last week.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 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
He screeched insults at the bear, which hearing, the bear reared up and seemed to me to overtop Rocinante.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
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
And many areas kept dry by canals or higher topography would experience flooding as saltwater overtops barriers.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 9, 2022
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
"Broad is his breast, his shoulders larger spread, Though great Atrides overtops his head."
From The Cruise of the Betsey or, A Summer Ramble Among the Fossiliferous Deposits of the Hebrides. With Rambles of a Geologist or, Ten Thousand Miles Over the Fossiliferous Deposits of Scotland by Symonds, W. S. (William Samuel)
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
The Edenville Dam on the Tittabawassee River in central Michigan collapsed May 19, 2020, releasing a torrent that overtopped the downstream Sanford Dam and flooded the city of Midland.
From Seattle Times ● May 4, 2022
But the second wave easily overtopped a flood barrier and swamped all six.
From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland
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
"We don't know what is likely to happen in terms of that overtopping," she told reporters in a briefing.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2023
A dam’s design can affect its ability to withstand overtopping and resist failure.
From Scientific American ● Jul. 13, 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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
