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.
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When meltwaters reach a certain level, they can overtop a glacier that previously held them back.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2025
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
Making matters worse: Communities have been built on those floodplains, so when rivers overtop their banks, the water goes into people’s houses rather than replenishing wetland habitats and slowly sinking into the soil.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 10, 2023
A small fire with a metal grate slid overtop where they were cooking beans in a tin pot.
From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline
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
There are bridges on the rivers, As pretty as you please; But the bow that bridges heaven And overtops the trees, And builds a road from earth to sky, Is prettier far than these.
From Literature for Children by Orton Lowe
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
The massive wave overtopped the seawall but petered out after about 300 yards, long before it reached any buildings.
From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland
People were urged against leaving their homes due to danger from flying debris, coastal overtopping, falling trees and damage to buildings.
From BBC ● Jan. 24, 2025
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
For example, concrete dams can typically better withstand certain levels of overtopping compared to soil embankment dams.
From Scientific American ● Jul. 13, 2023
He halted and, with bewildered and horrified eyes, stared round him at the khaki mob, in the midst of which, overtopping it by a full head, he stood.
From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
Vocabulary lists containing overtop
