BIG SHOTS Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

big shots

noun

plural of big shot

as in bigs

one of high position or importance within a group a meeting at which all of the big shots in the company were present

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 shots The big deals have been made, the big shots have come and gone. — David Szondy july 23, New Atlas, 23 July 2026 Yet the mental horizons of Maucci and his associates were wider and more mobile than those of the big shots, small-time lawyers, and clerics who’d remained to vegetate in their old Lunigiana. — Literary Hub, 22 July 2026 After struggling to find any type of offense through the first three quarters, the Valkyries hit enough big shots in the fourth quarter to pull out its ninth consecutive win with a 74-69 victory over the Washington Mystics at home on Saturday night. — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 July 2026 Adam Flagler and Marquel Sutton hit big shots in the last two minutes as the Kings held on for a 92-90 victory over the Hornets at Cox Pavilion. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026 Nobody shot more than Larry Bird, who made a lot of big shots in his day, too. — John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2026 Fox hit big shots late as the Spurs avoided falling into a 3-0 hole, which no NBA team has escaped. — Brian Mahoney, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026 Jordin Canada was equally impressive, finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists while hitting big shots when Atlanta needed them most, including a clutch three-pointer late that pushed the lead to 73-65. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 13 May 2026 Dylan Harper had 24 points on 11 shots off the bench, Stephon Castle had 20 points and De’Aaron Fox had a number of big shots to allow the Spurs to lead by as many as eight points in the fourth quarter. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 11 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for big shots

Noun

As for other options to add rim-protecting bigs, Hassan Whiteside is available for a Heat reunion.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of bigs

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 heavyweights

Noun

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

Definition of big guns

Noun

That includes carbon-ceramic brakes, standard Magnetic Ride Control suspension, and even optional carbon fiber wheels, all wrapped by the widebody shape that gives the Grand Sport and Grand Sport X a more aggressive look than the base Stingray.

— Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026
Automobile horns echoed here and there in the distance, and as the government railway train departed the station under the bridge, a string of small lights heralded the far-off clacking of its wheels.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of wheels

Noun

Founded in London in 1993, White Cube burst onto the US scene in 2023 with its New York flagship at 1002 Madison Avenue (a stone’s throw from the headquarters of heavy hitters such as Gagosian and Acquavella).

— News Desk, Artforum, 7 Aug. 2026
Other heavy hitters include New York, Washington, and Massachusetts with four each, and Virginia with three.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of heavy hitters

Noun

In any year, in any culture, there are no antagonists (save for Nazis) better suited as action cinema heavies; rooting against child trafficking lowlifes is moral, easy, and best of all, a completely guiltless pleasure.

— Andy Crump, IndieWire, 15 June 2026
However, on season 2 of Twin Peaks, the actress played Miss Jones, the right-hand woman for one of the series' heavies, Thomas Eckhardt (the late David Warner).

— Drew Mackie, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026

Definition of heavies

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

Browse Nearby Words

big shot

big shots

big-ticket

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Big shots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20shots. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of big shots

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

baptism of fire

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes