as in heavyweights
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
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Recent Examples of big boys
One of the biggest reasons the Padres’ slugging numbers are down is that those big boys have not produced the power that was expected out of them.
—
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big boys
Noun
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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
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The Die, My Love screening is just one of a host of glitzy premieres, luring Hollywood heavyweights such as Angelina Jolie (for Alice Winocour’s Couture) and Colin Farrell (for Edward Berger’s Ballad of a Small Player) to Spain’s northern coast this year.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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She’s tasked with slowing down top opposing bigs, and her versatility and willingness to defend some of the league’s best is key to freeing up Collier on both ends.—
Ben Pickman,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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Waiving Bradley without seeing how healthy those two bigs are would be irresponsible.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This time the 6-foot-5, 230-pound quarterback showed off his wheels, converting a third-and-9 with a pile-pushing finish to a 20-yard run.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
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Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
Noun
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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
Noun
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Three heavy hitters in Minnesota music — Prince, the Replacements and Hüsker Dü — have new deluxe editions coming to stores and streaming.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
22 Sep. 2025
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Spider-Man regulars Zendaya and Jacob Batalon return as MJ and Ned, respectively, while Marvel heavy hitters Mark Ruffalo (the Hulk) and Jon Bernthal (the Punisher) are among the cast.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Hundred offers a cosy domestic dose of garish colors, potato crisp team sponsors and big shots.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Each drive offered us the choice to head down into the valley—in search of the elusive black leopard or to visit the hippos dotting the riverbank—or up onto the plateau where the chance to see lions, cheetahs, zebras, and elephants awaited.—
Rebekah Peppler,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Sep. 2025
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Our family rode all the classic rides at Magic Kingdom, journeyed to France at EPCOT via Skyliner for a decadent breakfast, spotted hippos and lions on an open-air safari tour at Animal Kingdom, and roasted s’mores over a toasty campfire at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.—
Linnea Bailey,
Southern Living,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Big boys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20boys. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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