big gun

noun

Definition of big gunnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 gun Related Stories Chile, as the guest country of honor, will be sending its big guns with Pablo Larrain, Sebastián Lelio and Maite Alberdi leading a contingent. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026 Anthopoulos wants a big gun Obviously, the Braves are shopping to augment their starting rotation. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 18 Feb. 2026 The comedy big guns come out to pay their respects to the groundbreaking genius whose comedy is still radical — Ben Stiller, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Dave Chappelle, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman are just a few. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026 There also aren't too many catchers who can put up above-average offensive stats these days, so adding Jeffers into the deal means the Yankees should be prepared to part ways with at least one of their big guns in the pitching pipeline, namely Carlos Lagrange or Elmer Rodríguez. — Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for big gun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big gun
  1. heavyweight
  2. heavy
  3. big
  4. big wheel
  5. big boy
  6. big leaguer
  7. major leaguer
  8. heavy hitter
Noun
  • Last month, technology heavyweights such as Microsoft, Palantir and Nvidia signed a letter urging policymakers to avoid restricting open-weight models and suppressing competition.
    — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The upbeat results lifted global tech stocks, including major gains for Asian heavyweights.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of heavyweight
Noun
  • Soon after Rhaenyra executes Otto Hightower, who was once mastermind of that family’s schemes, Ormund steps up to be the faction’s new heavy.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
  • Shares of Meta are flat on the year, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 is up 18%.
    — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 10 July 2026
Definition of heavy
Noun
  • That gives Okot more opportunities to develop alongside the second unit with Naz Hillmon while learning to play alongside both veteran bigs.
    — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 28 July 2026
  • Jones, youngsters shine Score one for the bigs — after a decade-long drought of All-Star MVPs, frontcourt players have won back-to-back.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 July 2026
Definition of big
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
Noun
  • Thibodeau is a big boy, and Dolan is still paying him a lot of money from that $30 million extension signed in the summer of 2024.
    — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 17 June 2026
  • But taking on one of Wall Street’s big boys, and then getting squashed for it, ranks right up there.
    — Liz Peek, Washington Post, 4 May 2026
Definition of big boy
Noun
  • Conine, who turned 29 last month, still hasn’t fully established himself at a big leaguer.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
  • The Nationals have not added an active big leaguer at the deadline since Abrams (a rookie) and Luke Voit arrived in the Juan Soto deal.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of big leaguer
Noun
  • When the Cubs needed a corner infielder, the Dodgers shipped them a surplus major leaguer, Michael Busch, in exchange for two prospects.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • And in a trade market with few sellers willing to trade for prospects, major leaguer-for-major leaguer exchanges appear likely.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 23 July 2026
Definition of major leaguer
Noun
  • Orange County’s culinary heavy hitters are once again joining forces for a good cause and a great time.
    — Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 30 July 2026
  • Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed has endorsements from the heavy hitters of progressive politics, AOC, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Ro Khanna.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
Definition of heavy hitter

Browse Nearby Words

biggish
big gun
big guns
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Cite this Entry

“Big gun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20gun. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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