big-time 1 of 2

adverb

Definition of big-timenext
as in highly
to a large extent or degree wow, those renovations improved the library big-time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

big time

2 of 2

noun

-ˌtīm How to pronounce big time (audio)
as in big(s)
the highest level of a field of endeavor the young ad execs knew that their agency had hit the big time when major corporations came calling

Synonyms & Similar Words

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-time
Adverb
Moreno has big-time all-around upside behind the dish, and Gurriel offers comparable bat upside to Varsho and will rotate with the three younger options in the outfield. — Tony Blengino, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023 Exams, deaths, the current news cycle, and even breakups are all big-time stressors that can cause periods to go awry. — Women's Health, 22 Mar. 2023
Noun
Miles escapes, but the events of that night will come back big time. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 July 2026 That decision paid off big time. — ABC News, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for big-time
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big-time
  1. highly
  2. much
  3. greatly
  4. considerably
  5. utterly
  6. significantly
  7. tremendously
  8. massively
Adverb
  • Diapers are synonymous with babies, who are born with highly absorbent skin.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • Matt Harris, a political science professor at Park University in Parkville, emphasized the highly unusual circumstances surrounding the 5th District, which was drawn mid-decade to boost Republicans’ chances.
    — Jack Harvel July 15, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026
Definition of highly
Adverb
  • These much larger centers have begun sprouting up across the nation and making headlines for sucking up communities’ water, spiking power bills and causing other environmental issues.
    — Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • The concept for the best-selling book The Five-Star Weekend was initially much darker.
    — Clarissa Cruz, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026
Definition of much
Adverb
  • The recent return of service by American Airlines and United Airlines has greatly increased the number of passengers using the airport in Carlsbad over the last two years, according to the San Diego County Department of Public Works.
    — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
  • For this reason, studies that measure whether a kid has access to any platform, whether an underage user is using an account or not, will greatly underestimate the law’s effects.
    — Ravi Iyer, Time, 18 July 2026
Definition of greatly
Adverb
  • The planet had remained hidden in the data all this time, overshadowed by its considerably brighter star and two companion planets.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
  • In this situation, the Bao 5 feels impressively punchy and is certainly capable of keeping pace with considerably more expensive rivals.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of considerably
Adverb
  • If Vance now recognizes his comments as churlish, lacking in charity, and utterly unlikely to persuade voters, much less witness to the sublime truths of the Christian religion, good for him.
    — Matthew Walther, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
  • But as yesterday’s race showed, the current F1 machinery is utterly ill-suited to this dramatic venue.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 July 2026
Definition of utterly
Adverb
  • Higher p-tau217 levels on the original tests were significantly associated with cognitive impairment — a risk that grew over time.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • In the OptiTROP-Lung05 study conducted in China, sac-TMT plus Keytruda significantly delayed tumor progression compared to chemotherapy plus Keytruda in patients with first-line, PDL1-negative, non-squamous lung cancer.
    — Elaine Chen, STAT, 15 July 2026
Definition of significantly
Adverb
  • Lurking just beneath the Auto-Tune is a lyricist par excellence who’s tremendously skilled at creating character studies in miniature.
    — Drew Millard, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026
  • Our simulation experiment started tremendously as the virtual Huskies, led by 75 overall quarterback Jake Merklinger, the Tennessee transfer, finished 10-3 and beat UTEP in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026
Definition of tremendously
Adverb
  • Many fans may not realize that the massively popular show was originally produced in Philadelphia, where it was filmed at the WHYY studios from 1986 to 1989.
    — Jared Bahir Browsh, The Conversation, 15 July 2026
  • For example, China turned off 3 million barrels per day in refinery output, according to JPMorgan, as the government massively ramped up its coal-firing plants and electric vehicle push.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of massively

Browse Nearby Words

big-ticket
big-time
big time
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big-time.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big-time. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of stalwart

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All