TOP-SHELF Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

top-shelf

adjective

ˈtäp-ˈshelf

Definition of top-shelf

as in excellent

of the very best kind hoping to impress the new neighbors, she brought a top-shelf wine as a housewarming gift

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of top-shelf Priced at around $325 a bottle in Mexico, this qualifies as an ultra-premium top-shelf expression, of course. — Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 Our van was outfitted with the top-shelf Grand Comfort Seat setup, featuring a pair of second-row seats that feel like the business-class section on a narrow-body jet. — Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 19 June 2026 Check out our favorite finds below, including a cleaning kit that helps prevent dryer fires, a folding grabber tool for reaching top-shelf items, and a funnel set for all your decanting needs—with some products marked down by up to 43%. — Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2026 Receiver This unit doesn’t have a single player who would start for another NFL team, and while some of the youngsters have the talent to blossom into top-shelf receivers, the on-field production wasn’t there during the offseason program. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for top-shelf

Recent Examples of Synonyms for top-shelf

Adjective

While San Francisco’s bullpen is struggling, Rogers is in the midst of another excellent season after signing a three-year, $37 million deal to join the defending American League champions.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Guests can borrow, for no charge, one of four Mate e-bikes for spins around the park or beyond, say to Tanimachi nearby for local neighborhood vibes, including charming izakayas, gyoza shops, and excellent, one-woman restaurants such as Tachiaoi.

— Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of excellent

Adjective

As other reviewers have also noted, sound quality is superb on the GA lawn, which was full to bursting with blankets and rentable lawn chairs.

— Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026
Curtain Bluff, Antigua Come for the pair of beaches, exceptional clifftop spa, and superb cuisine.

— Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of superb

Adjective

Conwell played off the ball a lot but showed a nifty handle when given the chance, delivering a terrific pass in transition for a Jahmir Young score and swerving past a defender on a neat move to the basket before missing a shot at the rim.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
He has been blessed with terrific talent but clearly has melded that talent to win games and keep the clubhouse on the same page.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of terrific

Adjective

Roman will scour the very heart of the Milky Way where stars are tightly packed together, hunting microlensing events which should be common in such a dense stellar region.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 July 2026
An influx of competitors also add to the vehicle’s current not-so-stellar reputation.

— James Raia, Mercury News, 5 July 2026

Definition of stellar

Adjective

My colleague Erik Tice at the Dink (who does double duty as the GM for the California Black Bears) is back to maintaining his Public MLP Data sheet, which has all sorts of awesome data.

— Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Brady joins bro Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe and of course the return of Aleksander Barkov to lead what should be an awesome offense.

— Greg Cote June 28, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026

Definition of awesome

Adjective

Especially the guy who bangs a wrecking ball against the historic East Wing to make room for an incongruous ballroom monstrosity, who mars the sacred Oval Office with gold glitter and paves over the lovely Rose Garden.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
All in all, launching the book has been an exhausting and lovely gift of an experience.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026

Definition of lovely

Browse Nearby Words

top secret

top-shelf

topsoil

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“Top-shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/top-shelf. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of top-shelf

adjective

Example Sentences

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