big gun

noun

: one having preeminent status or power in a field

Synonyms of big gun

• heavyweight
• heavy
• big
• big wheel
• big boy
• big leaguer
• major leaguer
• heavy hitter
• big cheese
• lion

Examples of big gun in a Sentence

for a high-profile case like this, the law firm uses only its big guns

Recent Examples on the Web

Bruins coach Marco Sturm made some pretty sizable line changes to start the game, plugging in rookie center Minten between David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie to try and coax more production out of his big guns. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026

The team needs that supporting cast clicking at the same time as big guns to create more sustained pressure. —Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026

Anthopoulos wants a big gun Obviously, the Braves are shopping to augment their starting rotation. —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 18 Feb. 2026

The comedy big guns come out to pay their respects to the groundbreaking genius whose comedy is still radical — Ben Stiller, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Dave Chappelle, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman are just a few. —Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for big gun

• begun
• grandson
• gudrun
• handgun
• homespun
• outdone
• outrun
• pashtun
• redone
• rerun
• shotgun
• someone