as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group
for a high-profile case like this, the law firm uses only its big guns
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Recent Examples of big gun
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
There are big guns, big swords and, by the sound of it, a whole lot of crazy.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 27 May 2025
The best way to do that is with big guns, of course, and that's what Metal Eden – the new game from former CD Projekt RED and Techland developers – is all about.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for big gun
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
There are big guns, big swords and, by the sound of it, a whole lot of crazy.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 27 May 2025
The best way to do that is with big guns, of course, and that's what Metal Eden – the new game from former CD Projekt RED and Techland developers – is all about.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for big gun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big gun
Noun
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The congratulatory messages from the two ex-presidents, who are among the Democratic Party’s most popular national figures, appear to be a signal mainstream Democratic heavyweights are warming up to Mamdani as the party continues to regroup following staggering losses nationally in 2024.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
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In the first episode of Season 3, Tommy is working to unite the city's biggest drug heavyweights to solidify his own network alongside his partner, Diamond.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The Dark Ages gave us an extremely metal prequel that — while a bit too lore and cutscene-heavy — presented more surprising tricks and gameplay refreshes to keep the long-running FPS series alive and kicking butt.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
26 Dec. 2025
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However, a combination of tariffs, inflation and narrow GDP growth kept the tech-heavy S & P 500 in the lead over the Russell 2000.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The Celtics pounded the paint with Neemias Queta and Luka Garza, a pair of bruising bigs who also can force the issue from 3-point range despite their lumbering dispositions.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
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Perhaps names like Zach Ehrhard or James Tibbs III could see time in the bigs.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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Suck on some of these, big boy.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
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Fey: Then buckle up and slap on some Oakleys, big boy.—
William Vaillancourt,
Rolling Stone,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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Cohen is a star baseball player for Windward and Fullmer plays football for Harvard-Westlake and is the son of former major leaguer Brad Fullmer, one of the best players ever out of Montclair Prep.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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Former Yankees pitcher and the oldest living major leaguer Art Schallock died at age 100 on March 6.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Orange County’s breakfast burrito scene is about to get a new heavy hitter.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
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The newcomer is alongside the likes of heavy hitters like Emma Stone, Amanda Seyfried, Renate Reinsve, Rose Byrne, and Jessie Buckley in her category.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Big gun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20gun. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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