big 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbig How to pronounce big (audio)
Definition of bignext
1
as in large
of a size greater than average of its kind bought a big apple to quench his raging appetite

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in major
having great meaning or lasting effect there will be a big meeting to resolve the issue

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in great
having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature how big of you to give your subordinates most of the credit

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4
as in rich
having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor) inexperienced wine drinkers should not start with such a big wine

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5
as in main
coming before all others in importance the big story that year was the election of the president

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6
as in fashionable
enjoying widespread favor or approval jackets with very wide lapels were big that year

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7
as in pregnant
containing unborn young within the body a mare big with a foal

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big

2 of 2

noun

1
as in heavy
one of high position or importance within a group with that new promotion he's now one of the bigs in the company

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in major league
usually bigs plural the highest level of a field of endeavor a candidate who is running for president is playing in the bigs and cannot afford to make major mistakes

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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
Adjective
Let go of any lingering urges or habits to play it small because when eclipses arrive, there’s higher potential for big life changes. — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026 Luis Morales relieved Basso and allowed a big rally in the eighth that saw the Tigers bat around and culminated in a Dillon Dingler grand slam. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
Robinson will be a far tougher test for Embiid and the East’s other bigs. — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 For the past few weeks, the Valkyries’ first-ever All-Star has been anchoring Golden State’s defense in critical moments, guarding opposing bigs and sacrificing offensive opportunities for the sake of scheme. — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for big
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big
  1. large
  2. major
  3. great
  4. rich
  5. main
  6. fashionable
  7. pregnant
  8. heavy
Adjective
  • Its brightest stars form a large cross, often called the Northern Cross, with Deneb marking the top and colorful double-star Albireo the base.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The emergence of additional Chinese prototypes suggests that competition between the world’s two largest military powers is extending beyond current fifth-generation aircraft into the race for future air dominance.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of large
Adjective
  • Two of the three major GOP candidates for Minnesota governor faced off in a debate on Friday night, 11 days before the August primary.
    — Esme Murphy, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • With Jupiter returning to the predawn sky, a comet lingering and the possibility of a nova explosion, August offers almost every major kind of celestial event in a single month.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • The other great piece of news is that, yes, this will get a localized release with multiple language support, something that the original PlayStation Portable version never had.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Zachary Robert Stacer, 22, was arrested on July 30 and charged with two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, three counts of felonious assault and five counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer.
    — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of great
Adjective
  • Designed to be charming and romantic, rooms have a B&B feel with canopy beds, rich drapery, plush chairs, hardwood floors, and walls adorned with chair rail and crown molding.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
  • Each spoonful was rich and silky, with creamy vanilla pudding coating tender banana slices and vanilla wafers that soaked up enough sweetness to become cake-like.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
Definition of rich
Adjective
  • Al-Hilal is keen to offload the player, who is training separately from their main squad and not in coach Simoene Inzaghi's plans.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Nazca Lines, ​enormous drawings and ⁠geometric figures etched into desert plains in the south of the country, are one of Peru’s main tourist destinations, attracting approximately ​100,000 annual visitors.
    — Joe Kottke, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Over the decades, the principessa cake in particular has cultivated a devout — and fashionable — following.
    — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • All of these newly fashionable hybrid shows campaigned for the Emmys as comedies.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of fashionable
Adjective
  • The intramuscular formulation of penicillin was the only treatment that could prevent pregnant patients from passing syphilis to their newborns.
    — Eric Boodman, STAT, 31 July 2026
  • Active adults, pregnant people, older adults, and those recovering from illness, injury, or surgery may have higher needs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Definition of pregnant
Noun
  • Soon after Rhaenyra executes Otto Hightower, who was once mastermind of that family’s schemes, Ormund steps up to be the faction’s new heavy.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
  • Shares of Meta are flat on the year, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 is up 18%.
    — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 10 July 2026
Definition of heavy

Phrases Containing big

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bifurcations
big
bigamies
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Cite this Entry

“Big.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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