BIG BOY Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

big boy

noun

Definition of big boy

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 That said, another part of me reckons LEGO set out its plan to make three sets — one small, one medium, and one big boy — and then worked backwards to figure out which Pokémon would fit into these grades. — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 1 Mar. 2026 Only little boys are called big boys. — Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2026 There are big boys throwing their weight around, and there are wild skinnies with flying arms and spinning back-kicks, chopping out their emergency version of personal space. — James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025 The wins against the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs were not an accident, or luck; Williams has made a big boy impact. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for big boy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for big boy

Noun

Once upon a time, Georgia-Florida was an annual heavyweight fight, two proud programs trading punches and championships while their fans traded insults and cocktails in Jacksonville.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026
Since taking office, Mamdani has named Diya Vij, an arts-organizations veteran, to lead the Department of Cultural Affairs, and assembled a slew of heavyweights to serve on his Committee on Arts and Culture.

— Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of heavyweight

Noun

The tech-heavy index's record high was just over a month ago.

— Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
This year, recommenders include cultural heavies like Susan Orlean, Tony Tulathimutte, Jia Tolentino, Vincenzo Latronico, Sarah Thankam Matthews, and Tavi Gevinson.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of heavy

Noun

However, with each Champions League victory crucial to progressing toward the next round, neither would want to rest their big guns, either.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of big gun

Noun

The last major leaguer to hit a game-tying or go-ahead homer in the seventh or later, after at least 12 pitches, was the Texas Rangers’ Ezequiel Duran, on June 27, 2023.

— Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2026
With six strikeouts over 4 2/3 scoreless innings, Rasmus — the 12-year-old daughter of former major leaguer Cory Rasmus — is up to 14 for the tournament, tying Mo’ne Davis (Philadelphia, 2014) for the most strikeouts by a girl in series history.

— Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of major leaguer

Noun

Jones has also done two unexpected things — one good and one bad — since becoming a big leaguer.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
The first-year big leaguer had 31 homers and 108 RBIs and is the odds-on favorite for National League Rookie of the Year.

— Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of big leaguer

Noun

As a result, the Republicans lacked top tier, heavy hitters who could bring out the vote not only for themselves but also for Fazio, officials said.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
Escape The Great Pumpkin of SoCal mega EDM events this season, this Insomniac institution has all the usual heavy hitters (Zedd, Nina Kraviz, Disco Lines, Cloonee).

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of heavy hitter

Noun

For all of its strengths, my one wish for the Weber Kettle is better wheel nuts holding the big wheels in place.

— Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 17 May 2026
Denali versions aim for gloss, chrome, big wheels and illuminated badging, while the AT4 gets the tougher costume - 35-inch allou-terrain tires, red recovery hooks, extra ground clearance and a more trail-minded stance flavor.

— Josh Max, Forbes.com, 6 May 2026

Definition of big wheel

Browse Nearby Words

big boxes

big boy

big boys

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Big boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20boy. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of big boy

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on big boy

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

impertinent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes