Synonyms

overtop

American

[oh-ver-top, oh-ver-top] / ˌoʊ vərˈtɒp, ˈoʊ vərˌtɒp /

verb (used with object)

overtopped, overtopping

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.
to surpass or excel.

a rise in sales that overtopped everyone in the industry.

noun

a top, sometimes sleeveless, designed to be worn over another garment, as a shirt or dress.

overtop British

/ ˌəʊvəˈtɒp /

verb

to exceed in height
to surpass; excel
to rise over the top of

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of overtop

First recorded in 1555–65; over- + top ¹

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.

Defences built five years ago were already being overtopped by floods, she said.

From BBC

But the second wave easily overtopped a flood barrier and swamped all six.

From Literature

When meltwaters reach a certain level, they can overtop a glacier that previously held them back.

From BBC

Waves overtopped sand dunes on the low-lying island of South Uist.

From BBC

People were urged against leaving their homes due to danger from flying debris, coastal overtopping, falling trees and damage to buildings.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023