big unknown
noun
chiefly US
: the important thing that everyone would like to know
The big unknown is how investors will react.
Examples of big unknown in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The big unknown is the fate of Iran’s huge stockpile of uranium—some four hundred kilograms—which had been enriched before the war.
—
Robin Wright, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
Rather, the big unknown now is whether the U.S. will follow up on threats and the sinking of drug boats with something more drastic: direct military engagement or even regime change.
—Robert Muggah, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
And in 2026, that is now a big unknown for both sides.
—Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
Even if America and Israel, with the very worst, selfish intentions murderously came in and killed people, and the silver lining was a regime change, there is this big unknown at the other side of who’s going to take over.
—Fiction Non Fiction
july 3, Literary Hub, 3 July 2025
Having Verstappen in one of its cars would add a layer of confidence to Mercedes' 2026 prospects, especially as all teams head into a big unknown with cars set to run on 50 percent electric power.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
With preparations well in hand, one big unknown is the weather.
—Tara Copp, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Of course, a big unknown is whether the White House would greenlight such a controversial move.
—Caitlin Owens, Axios, 28 Mar. 2025
Another big unknown is how those trading partners will react this time.
—Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Mar. 2025
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Robin Wright, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
Rather, the big unknown now is whether the U.S. will follow up on threats and the sinking of drug boats with something more drastic: direct military engagement or even regime change.
—Robert Muggah, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
And in 2026, that is now a big unknown for both sides.
—Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
Even if America and Israel, with the very worst, selfish intentions murderously came in and killed people, and the silver lining was a regime change, there is this big unknown at the other side of who’s going to take over.
—Fiction Non Fiction
july 3, Literary Hub, 3 July 2025
Having Verstappen in one of its cars would add a layer of confidence to Mercedes' 2026 prospects, especially as all teams head into a big unknown with cars set to run on 50 percent electric power.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
With preparations well in hand, one big unknown is the weather.
—Tara Copp, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Of course, a big unknown is whether the White House would greenlight such a controversial move.
—Caitlin Owens, Axios, 28 Mar. 2025
Another big unknown is how those trading partners will react this time.
—Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Big unknown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20unknown. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.
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