as in heavyweight
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 boy
Unfortunately, very big boy Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees took the crown this season with 58 home runs.
—
Bryan Walsh, Vox, 30 Dec. 2024
This is going to be a very big boy, free cash flow game.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2024
One of those big boys dropped off a wolf's head at my feet and looked up at me, then walked off.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Inevitable imperfections The above is no disrespect to SMU, which unquestionably has had a fantastic initial season in the ACC, or Boise State, which has long been a non-power conference machine that often has shown it not only can play with big boys, but beat them as well.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for big boy
Bryan Walsh, Vox, 30 Dec. 2024
This is going to be a very big boy, free cash flow game.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2024
One of those big boys dropped off a wolf's head at my feet and looked up at me, then walked off.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Inevitable imperfections The above is no disrespect to SMU, which unquestionably has had a fantastic initial season in the ACC, or Boise State, which has long been a non-power conference machine that often has shown it not only can play with big boys, but beat them as well.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for big boy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big boy
Noun
-
Harry heads back to the yard, where a group of Kevin's Czechoslovakian hired heavies are preparing for war.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
On Twin Peaks, Strong plays Jones, the right-hand woman for one of the series’ heavies.—
Drew Mackie,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Another possibility or two could develop on draft night depending on how teams value this group of young bigs.—
Dan Woike,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2025
-
For this reason, the Bulls should spend this week scouting bigs.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
But that enemy once again includes potentially large numbers of North Koreans, as well as their big guns and missile launchers.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Most players expect to be handed a big gun, or some other lethal power, and get sent out on missions to knock around bad guys and cause some property destruction.—
The New York Times,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In its initial press releases, the GHF listed some heavy hitters that would sit on its board, lending it significant legitimacy: David Beasley, the former executive director of the WFP, and Nate Mook, the former head of World Central Kitchen.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
15 May 2025
-
The 2022 plunge was a wake-up call, but lower rates might lure the heavy hitters back.—
Tomer Warschauer Nuni,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
Off-road vehicles need to be boxy, tall and large with big wheels and specialized tires -- these are terrible for range.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2025
-
One of the teachers at Abbott, Jacob (played by Chris Perfetti), paid homage to Sajak with his costume, which even included a big wheel.—
Kayla Caldwell,
Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
German magicians Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Uwe Horn in real life became Las Vegas stars along with their white lions and tigers.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2025
-
Known for their flamboyant costumes and elaborate stage show that involved live lions and tigers, Siegfried & Roy became one of the most popular acts on the Las Vegas strip in the 1990s.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
But a big cheese board affords the chance for people to try something new.—
Betty Hallock,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Dec. 2024
-
But a big cheese board affords the chance for people to try something new.—
Betty Hallock,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
His dream is to become a loving, fat cat who stays indoors.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
-
But even these fat cat colleges aren’t safe.—
Emma Whitford,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Big boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20boy. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share