big guns

noun

plural of big gun
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

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 guns 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 The Minnesota Wild’s big guns showed up in a big way Saturday night, and the Avs looked wobbly for the first time in this tournament in a 5-1 loss in Game 3 at Grand Casino Arena. — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 10 May 2026 Stars don’t shine The Bruins’ big guns finished with some ugly numbers for the series. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026 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 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 Some big guns were still here, but the results often underdelivered. — Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big guns
  1. bigs
  2. heavyweights
  3. wheels
  4. heavies
  5. big shots
  6. big wheels
  7. big boys
  8. heavy hitters
Noun
  • The bigs come out a lot to pressure the ball in ball screen coverage.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2026
  • When Ott was in Cleveland, the system often had just one shooting outlet on most plays, relying on the guards’ floater games and the bigs’ vertical spacing over the top.
    — Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of bigs
Noun
  • While heavyweights such as Nvidia, Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta have struggled to sustain rallies in recent weeks, other companies are showing signs of strength.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 3 Nov. 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 heavyweights
Noun
  • From January through the end of August this year — the most recent month for which Federal Aviation Administration data is available — planes landing at O’Hare averaged 20 minutes to taxi to their gates once their wheels hit the ground.
    — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
  • So while the tank was resting on the road wheels that help keep the tracks in tension, trying to tow it would likely just cause the massive vehicle to dig in.
    — Stephen Edelstein, The Drive, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of wheels
Noun
  • 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
  • The album also features cameos by heavies from Gojira, Lamb of God, Queens of the Stone Age, and Clutch.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of heavies
Noun
  • The synergy between the two players stood out as Edmonds connected with Robinson for a number of big shots.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The symphony orchestra takes its name from the Greek symphonía, meaning sounding in agreement, and orkhēstra which implies a public stage for dance or, in ancient Rome, where senators and other big shots sat.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of big shots
Noun
  • The car's quirky appearance is enhanced by a sporty body kit and big wheels that are pushed to the farthest edges.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The cars that Geely showcased at CES, in Las Vegas, were large SUVs with big wheels, opulent interiors, and three rows of seats—not unlike a Ford Explorer.
    — Patrick George, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Definition of big wheels
Noun
  • These are the 30-homer big boys, the men who hit in the top four spots of most teams’ lineups.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 9 Sep. 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 boys
Noun
  • There’s also the heavy hitters cookies & cream, 2 run chocolate crunch and the victory chocolate chip — a more classic version of the cookie compared to the sluggers sourdough.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026
  • 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
Definition of heavy hitters

Browse Nearby Words

big gun
big guns
big hair
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Cite this Entry

“Big guns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20guns. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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