as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group
when she became the network's White House correspondent, she knew that she was now playing with the big boys
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of big boy
Wyatt embodies the worst excesses of the final years of the big-label era, when companies were scouting, promoting, and quickly disposing of bands in a furious cycle to find the next big boy or girl group.
—
James Factora, Them, 20 Feb. 2025
Around the time the series was announced, Simon Cowell — who played a role in forming One Direction on The X Factor, as did Scherzinger — unveiled plans to film a documentary series searching for the next big boy band.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, very big boy Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees took the crown this season with 58 home runs.
—Bryan Walsh, Vox, 30 Dec. 2024
This is going to be a very big boy, free cash flow game.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for big boy
James Factora, Them, 20 Feb. 2025
Around the time the series was announced, Simon Cowell — who played a role in forming One Direction on The X Factor, as did Scherzinger — unveiled plans to film a documentary series searching for the next big boy band.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, very big boy Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees took the crown this season with 58 home runs.
—Bryan Walsh, Vox, 30 Dec. 2024
This is going to be a very big boy, free cash flow game.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for big boy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big boy
Noun
-
The Tigers blocked a field goal as time expired to put an exclamation point on a signature win against a 4A heavyweight.—
Matt Schubert,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
-
This fall's live music scene is stacked full of hip-hop heavyweights and soulful R&B artists.—
Maria Leontaras,
Nashville Tennessean,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In February, Mayor Harrell, at the behest of local heavies such as Amazon and Microsoft, led the opposition to a referendum on another tax on those companies which would help pay for public, mixed-income housing in a city that desperately needs it.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
23 Sep. 2025
-
And when Sam cooks up a truly stupid scheme to make some quick cash, there’s little doubt a heavy like Mickey isn’t going to like it.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Thompson and Jirak also have potential as playmaking bigs who could be dangerous in the pick-and-roll.—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Making things sweeter, Stubbs was called to the bigs on the same day his brother Garrett, who has played in 192 major league games over six seasons with the Astros and Phillies, was called up to the big leagues by Philadelphia.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The battleship used to rule the seas thanks to big guns and thick armor, was displaced by the aircraft carrier.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
-
But there was a gun, a big gun, with lots of bullets and we are left with grief and the funerals for the four New Yorkers who were taken from us.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
After going hitless in his first two at-bats, Bob Seymour reached base for the first time as a big leaguer by drawing a walk.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Now in his seventh year as a big leaguer, Yastrzemski was traded minutes before Thursday’s trade deadline in exchange for minor league right-hander Yunior Marte.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Despite his youth, Harrison is now in his third season as a major leaguer, having made 40 MLB appearances since debuting with the San Francisco Giants in 2023.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Several more Western countries formally recognized a Palestinian state ahead of the UNGA, including diplomatic heavy hitters like Canada, France and the United Kingdom.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
-
This week, the spotlight shines on some heavy hitters.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Still, expect short overhangs and big wheels, even if not quite the size of these absurdly chrome 24-inchers.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
ArsTechnica,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The Lyriq’s long nose and roof create a sporty profile that’s emphasized by big wheel openings with subtle fender flares and a steeply raked rear window.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Big boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20boy. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share