top-tier
Cream of crop
Top-tier means belonging to the highest level or rank of quality, status, or achievement.
The word comes from tier, a level in a hierarchy: a top-tier university, top-tier talent.
It functions as an adjective and carries connotations of excellence or elite standing, though it's often used loosely for emphasis: That restaurant is top-tier.
Superior to all competitors
- world-classOf highest international standard
- superiorHigher in rank
- exceptionalNotably above the norm
- outstandingExceptionally good or unpaid
premier · pinnacle · superlative · preeminent · unrivaled · masterful · unparalleled · first-rate
Limited to one group
- prestigiousHaving high standing
- A-listTop celebrity ranking
- VIPNotable, for short
- aristocraticOf hereditary nobility
high-class · privileged · upper-crust · select · rarefied · jet-set · glitterati · luminaries
Competition for top rank
- major-leagueHighest competitive rank
- professionalCredentialed in one's field
- varsityPrimary school squad
- flagshipCommander's principal vessel
leading · dominant · powerhouse · frontrunner · number-one · headliner · marquee · blue-chip
best-in-class
Superior to all competitors
- world-classOf highest international standard
- superiorHigher in rank
- exceptionalNotably above the norm
outstanding · premier · pinnacle · superlative · preeminent · unrivaled · masterful · unparalleled · first-rate · foremost
exclusive
Limited to one group
- prestigiousHaving high standing
- A-listTop celebrity ranking
- VIPNotable, for short
aristocratic · high-class · privileged · upper-crust · select · rarefied · jet-set · glitterati · luminaries · socialites
championship
Competition for top rank
- major-leagueHighest competitive rank
- professionalCredentialed in one's field
- varsityPrimary school squad
flagship · leading · dominant · powerhouse · frontrunner · number-one · headliner · marquee · blue-chip · all-star
luxury
Expensive nonessential comfort
gourmet · designer · opulent · lavish · sumptuous · plush · extravagant · first-class · five-star · flagship
- above averageexcellent, superior, exceptional, outstanding, remarkable
- excellenceexcellence, greatness, superior, perfection, premium
- luxuryluxury, wealth, luxurious, opulent, opulence
- Product Tiersluxury, premium, budget, economy, value
- service tierspremium, VIP, elite, deluxe, five-star
- skill levelsbeginner, novice, intermediate, expert, advanced
top-tierbottom-tier
Worst category or ranking
rock-bottom · Z-list · low-tier · minor-league · bush-league
top-tierinferior
Of lower rank
low-quality · substandard · subpar · third-rate · abysmal
top, tops, tier, tip-top, tiers, over-the-top, topee, high-top