as in bigs
one of high position or importance within a group
for a high-profile case like this, the law firm uses only its big guns
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Recent Examples of big guns
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
Sunday’s iteration – David Pastrnak-Pavel Zacha-Casey Mittelstadt – finished minus-2 and were outplayed by the Sens’ big guns.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
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
Still, Jarry kept the game even until some big guns finally went to work for the Penguins.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
For October camp and friendlies, Pochettino called in more big guns — a squad that looks a lot closer to what the World Cup roster will look like than in the September camp.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
Some big guns were still here, but the results often underdelivered.
—Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
The battleship used to rule the seas thanks to big guns and thick armor, was displaced by the aircraft carrier.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Sunday’s iteration – David Pastrnak-Pavel Zacha-Casey Mittelstadt – finished minus-2 and were outplayed by the Sens’ big guns.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
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
Still, Jarry kept the game even until some big guns finally went to work for the Penguins.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
For October camp and friendlies, Pochettino called in more big guns — a squad that looks a lot closer to what the World Cup roster will look like than in the September camp.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
Some big guns were still here, but the results often underdelivered.
—Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
The battleship used to rule the seas thanks to big guns and thick armor, was displaced by the aircraft carrier.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big guns
Noun
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Guards, bigs, everybody just has to rebound, box out and just run.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Jan. 2026
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But going through opposing bigs to get to the cup is never going to be his specialty.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Zhao's feature also counts Hollywood heavyweights Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes as producers.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
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Favorable government policy has prompted heavyweights like Chicago’s CME Group and Cboe Global Markets to join the bandwagon.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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From their eight 360-degree wheels to their grippy telescopic handle, these bags are so easy to travel with.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
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The pickup truck landed wheels up in the creek.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Kier’s American career centered around playing heavies.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
24 Nov. 2025
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In February, Mayor Harrell, at the behest of local heavies such as Amazon and Microsoft, led the opposition to a referendum on another tax on those companies which would help pay for public, mixed-income housing in a city that desperately needs it.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Doncic returned with ill intentions as the Lakers tried to complete their comeback, but Monk, DeRozan and LaVine hit big shots down the stretch to help the Kings hang on for the win.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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Pierce Thompson made some big shots in the second half and had 13 points.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Still, expect short overhangs and big wheels, even if not quite the size of these absurdly chrome 24-inchers.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
ArsTechnica,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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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
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One of the biggest reasons the Padres’ slugging numbers are down is that those big boys have not produced the power that was expected out of them.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The newcomer is alongside the likes of heavy hitters like Emma Stone, Amanda Seyfried, Renate Reinsve, Rose Byrne, and Jessie Buckley in her category.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
4 Jan. 2026
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Wall Street heavy hitters have already begun throwing their weight behind SpaceX as private investors.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Big guns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20guns. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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