top-notcher
Best of breed
A top-notcher is someone or something of the highest quality or rank—a first-rate performer or example.
The term comes from the image of reaching the topmost notch on a scale: She's a real top-notcher in the courtroom.
The word is informal and somewhat dated, largely replaced by top-notch as an adjective.
Utmost summit or spire
- paragonFlawless model to emulate
- epitomePerfect representative of type
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
- exemplaryServing as ideal model
superiority · distinction · perfection · masterpiece · brilliance · genius · virtuoso · maestro
Top competitor, or advocate
- medalistCompetition award recipient
- finalistLast-round participant
- winnerOne who prevails
- titleholderOne who holds a championship
record-holder · MVP · all-star · leaderboard · frontrunner · number-one · world-beater
Celebrated achievement recipient
- honoreeOne being celebrated
- prizewinnerOne who earns recognition
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
- commendationFormal expression of approval
distinction · achiever · decorated · celebrated · acclaimed · recipient · inductee · hall-of-famer
Best of a group
- A-listerTop-tier famous person
- premierFirst in importance
- first-rateOf superior quality
- world-classOf highest international standard
blue-chip · select · exclusive · preeminent · foremost · leading · peerless · unrivaled
Top-ranked graduating student
- salutatorianSecond-ranked graduating student
- scholarLearned, studious person
- honorsRecognition for achievement
- thesisAcademic argument requiring defense
dissertation · GPA · fellowship · Fulbright · graduate · commencement · first-class · distinction
pinnacle
Utmost summit or spire
- paragonFlawless model to emulate
- epitomePerfect representative of type
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
exemplary · superiority · distinction · perfection · masterpiece · brilliance · genius · virtuoso · maestro · prodigy
champion
Top competitor, or advocate
titleholder · record-holder · MVP · all-star · leaderboard · frontrunner · number-one · world-beater
laureate
Celebrated achievement recipient
- honoreeOne being celebrated
- prizewinnerOne who earns recognition
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
commendation · distinction · achiever · decorated · celebrated · acclaimed · recipient · inductee · hall-of-famer · distinguished
cream-of-the-crop
Best of a group
- A-listerTop-tier famous person
- premierFirst in importance
- first-rateOf superior quality
world-class · blue-chip · select · exclusive · preeminent · foremost · leading · peerless · unrivaled · matchless
valedictorian
Top-ranked graduating student
- salutatorianSecond-ranked graduating student
- scholarLearned, studious person
- honorsRecognition for achievement
thesis · dissertation · GPA · fellowship · Fulbright · graduate · commencement · first-class · distinction
top-notcherloser
Defeated competitor
failure · incompetent · mediocrity · dud · flop
top-notcherbottom-dweller
Organism living on substrate
bottom-feeder · tailender · backmarker · lowest of the low · benchwarmer
top, notch, tops, topped, topping, topper, topmost, notches, notched