BIG SHOTS Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

big shots

noun

plural of big shot

as in bigs

one of high position or importance within a group a meeting at which all of the big shots in the company were present

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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 shots The big deals have been made, the big shots have come and gone. — David Szondy july 23, New Atlas, 23 July 2026 Yet the mental horizons of Maucci and his associates were wider and more mobile than those of the big shots, small-time lawyers, and clerics who’d remained to vegetate in their old Lunigiana. — Literary Hub, 22 July 2026 After struggling to find any type of offense through the first three quarters, the Valkyries hit enough big shots in the fourth quarter to pull out its ninth consecutive win with a 74-69 victory over the Washington Mystics at home on Saturday night. — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 July 2026 Adam Flagler and Marquel Sutton hit big shots in the last two minutes as the Kings held on for a 92-90 victory over the Hornets at Cox Pavilion. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026 Nobody shot more than Larry Bird, who made a lot of big shots in his day, too. — John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2026 Fox hit big shots late as the Spurs avoided falling into a 3-0 hole, which no NBA team has escaped. — Brian Mahoney, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026 Jordin Canada was equally impressive, finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists while hitting big shots when Atlanta needed them most, including a clutch three-pointer late that pushed the lead to 73-65. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 13 May 2026 Dylan Harper had 24 points on 11 shots off the bench, Stephon Castle had 20 points and De’Aaron Fox had a number of big shots to allow the Spurs to lead by as many as eight points in the fourth quarter. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 11 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for big shots

Noun

Unfortunately, the less said about China’s guards, the better; their main job is to get the ball past half court without turning it over and then feed the bigs.

— Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
That is a remarkable incentive, if not catnip, to send Condon to the bigs.

— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of bigs

Noun

The partnership follows a series of major tie-ups over the past year with other finance heavyweights, including Goldman Sachs and Brookfield.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026
His title defense begins Wednesday against Bear 164, Bucky, one of the river's emerging heavyweights.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of heavyweights

Noun

After England have raised a glass comes a three-match one-day international series this week when India will welcome back big guns including captain Shubman Gill and legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

— Paul Newman, New York Times, 12 July 2026
The Minnesota Wild’s big guns showed up in a big way Saturday night, and the Avs looked wobbly for the first time in this tournament in a 5-1 loss in Game 3 at Grand Casino Arena.

— Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 10 May 2026

Definition of big guns

Noun

Link launched on July 3 but quickly ran into electronic problems that took out two of the three reaction wheels needed to turn the spacecraft.

— Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
The Sooners were driving to answer the score when the wheels started coming off for their offense on a second-and-goal at the Georgia 4.

— Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of wheels

Noun

Ahead of this year’s festival, Lim spoke to Variety about lining up so many heavy hitters and whether festivalgoers should be prepared for any surprises.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
From a face serum that gives skin an extra dose of hydration to heavy hitters that soften rough skin, here’s how to add urea to your routine.

— Danielle James, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of heavy hitters

Noun

Mehring’s characters include petty criminals, unscrupulous lawyers, Galician Jews, Freikorps heavies, local and international businessmen, Prussian generals, and the everyday citizens inhabiting the streets of Berlin’s old and rather dingy center.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
The album also features cameos by heavies from Gojira, Lamb of God, Queens of the Stone Age, and Clutch.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of heavies

Noun

The car's quirky appearance is enhanced by a sporty body kit and big wheels that are pushed to the farthest edges.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Apr. 2026
The cars that Geely showcased at CES, in Las Vegas, were large SUVs with big wheels, opulent interiors, and three rows of seats—not unlike a Ford Explorer.

— Patrick George, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026

Definition of big wheels

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big shot

big shots

big-ticket

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“Big shots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20shots. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of big shots

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