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
The deadly weather is foiling evacuation plans and straining the state’s aging infrastructure as strong winds topple power lines and fast rising waters overtop levees.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 11, 2023
If the rivers overtop their banks, water can inundate the plot safely, reducing flood risk downriver.
From New York Times ● Jan. 5, 2023
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
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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
The ocean regularly overtops dunes and washes out much of Highway 12 — the only road linking Hatteras Island and the rest of Dare County.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 6, 2019
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
In the course of about three months it overtops the grass and proceeds to travel.
From The Preparation of Plantation Rubber by Sidney Morgan
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
Early on Saturday, officials said that water had overtopped a dam in the central North Chungcheong province.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 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
As yet another atmospheric river barrels toward California, residents brace for the threat of engorged rivers and overtopped reservoirs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 9, 2023
Iron spikes were set along the tops of formidable stone walls, and two fat round towers overtopped the keep.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
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The smaller debris basins are prone to overtopping.
From Los Angeles Times ● 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
"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
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
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