big-time 1 of 2

Definition of big-timenext
as in big(s)
the highest level of a field of endeavor the young ad execs knew that their agency had hit the big time when major corporations came calling

Synonyms & Similar Words

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-time
Adverb
Exams, deaths, the current news cycle, and even breakups are all big-time stressors that can cause periods to go awry. Women's Health, 22 Mar. 2023 Even as the ongoing housing slump sees national home prices come down a bit from the peaks hit during the Pandemic Housing Boom, most homeowners are still up big-time. Lance Lambert, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2023
Noun
Last year’s trio of big time home games (Texas, Alabama, Ole Miss) didn’t hurt either. Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 10 June 2026 For years, Qualcomm pushed this effort forward solo, but with Nvidia joining the cause, Windows on Arm just leveled up big time. Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for big-time
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big-time
Adverb
  • Diapers are synonymous with babies, who are born with highly absorbent skin.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • Matt Harris, a political science professor at Park University in Parkville, emphasized the highly unusual circumstances surrounding the 5th District, which was drawn mid-decade to boost Republicans’ chances.
    Jack Harvel July 15, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026
Adverb
  • These much larger centers have begun sprouting up across the nation and making headlines for sucking up communities’ water, spiking power bills and causing other environmental issues.
    Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • The concept for the best-selling book The Five-Star Weekend was initially much darker.
    Clarissa Cruz, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026
Adverb
  • Both Israeli supporters, Jeffries and Clark, have benefited greatly from lavish campaign contributions from AIPAC — the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
    Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 4 July 2026
  • Regional customs and crops greatly influenced what the colonists ate.
    Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
Adverb
  • Drenching storms will start to ease considerably on Friday, with a lower-level flood threat lingering mainly in the western part of the state.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Although considerably shorter than the bridges above it, the structure remains among the longest railway bridges ever constructed.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026
Adverb
  • Their semi-final against France is an utterly tantalising prospect; a classic clash of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • And in that regard, Ferrari has utterly outdone itself, especially following the Luce EV debacle.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 July 2026
Adverb
  • Higher p-tau217 levels on the original tests were significantly associated with cognitive impairment — a risk that grew over time.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • In the OptiTROP-Lung05 study conducted in China, sac-TMT plus Keytruda significantly delayed tumor progression compared to chemotherapy plus Keytruda in patients with first-line, PDL1-negative, non-squamous lung cancer.
    Elaine Chen, STAT, 15 July 2026
Adverb
  • The difference in pay was partly a FIFA problem—and FIFA has committed to increasing its prize sizes for the women’s game recently, meaning if the women go all the way next year the men will be poised to benefit tremendously too.
    Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 9 July 2026
  • This presented many unique challenges, such as business travel spending being down tremendously at the time.
    William Jones, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Adverb
  • Many fans may not realize that the massively popular show was originally produced in Philadelphia, where it was filmed at the WHYY studios from 1986 to 1989.
    Jared Bahir Browsh, The Conversation, 15 July 2026
  • For example, China turned off 3 million barrels per day in refinery output, according to JPMorgan, as the government massively ramped up its coal-firing plants and electric vehicle push.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big-time.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big-time. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!