top-heavy

adjective

ˈtäp-ˌhe-vē How to pronounce top-heavy (audio)
Synonyms of top-heavynext
1
: having the top part too heavy for the lower part
2
: having too high a proportion of administrators
a top-heavy bureaucracy
3
: oversupplied with one element at the expense of others : lacking balance
a novel top-heavy with description

Examples of top-heavy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Barring change, the Rams will travel to Australia with a roster top-heavy with tight ends, receivers and outside linebackers and — because of players’ versatility — minimal numbers at cornerback. — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 The Trojans, the lone ranked squad in the US LBM Coaches Poll to take the field in Week 0, look to improve on a 9-4 campaign and move up the pecking order in a top-heavy Big Ten. — Eddie Timanus, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 In fact, their relatively top-heavy talent is even more reason to stay in evaluation mode. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Given the past few decades’ top-heavy growth in personal incomes and their distribution, that may understandably be the case — they may simply be spoiled. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for top-heavy

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of top-heavy was circa 1531

Rhymes for top-heavy

See All Rhymes for top-heavy

Browse Nearby Words

top-heaviness
top-heavy
Tophet
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Top-heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top-heavy. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

top-heavy

adjective
ˈtäp-ˌhev-ē
: having the top part too heavy for the lower part

More from Merriam-Webster on top-heavy

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