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
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 gun
Most players expect to be handed a big gun, or some other lethal power, and get sent out on missions to knock around bad guys and cause some property destruction.
—
The New York Times, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Can Ukraine keep its big guns firing as Trump aligns the United States with Russia and halts further U.S. aid to Ukraine?
—David Axe, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Nintendo's top talent has presumably worked on Switch 2 software for years, so now is the time for big guns like Donkey Kong, Mario, and Zelda.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
The Blueshirts’ big guns of Panarin and Fox worked to engineer Zibanejad’s one-timer from the left circle, 2:13 after Carlsson’s goal.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for big gun
The New York Times, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Can Ukraine keep its big guns firing as Trump aligns the United States with Russia and halts further U.S. aid to Ukraine?
—David Axe, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Nintendo's top talent has presumably worked on Switch 2 software for years, so now is the time for big guns like Donkey Kong, Mario, and Zelda.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
The Blueshirts’ big guns of Panarin and Fox worked to engineer Zibanejad’s one-timer from the left circle, 2:13 after Carlsson’s goal.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for big gun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big gun
Noun
-
Contributors include commentator heavies like Osita Nwanevu, Kim Kelly, and Anna Merlan.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
8 July 2025
-
First question first: Is Usyk the GOAT of the heavies?—
Anthony Stitt,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
At this big of a discount, don't miss out on this deal!—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
7 Aug. 2025
-
One of the few cracks in Minnesota’s defensive armor this season has occasionally been slowing down back-to-the-basket bigs, but great defensive wing play can be part of that antidote, as well, as perimeter pressure limits the opponent’s ability to effectively enter the ball into the post.—
Jjfrederick,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Two of the children, ages 9 and 11, were transported down the mountain in a big wheel basket.—
Hannah Dreyfus,
AZCentral.com,
2 July 2025
-
There was a man riding a toddler’s big wheel with a 40-ounce malt liquor bottle in one hand, and a woman wearing just a torn T-shirt was cursing up a storm.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
That big boy came straight up out of the water until his tail was a foot above its surface, then smacked back.—
Arthur Grahame,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2025
-
This whole situation in the industry is like a big boy's club...—
Mekishana Pierre Published,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
Among the heavy hitters in the Paramount C-suite include RedBird Capital Partners’ Andy Gordon, who now serves as chief strategy officer and COO, and former NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell, who oversees day-to-day operations as president.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Some heavy hitters just got major price drops on Best Buy today.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But a big cheese board affords the chance for people to try something new.—
Betty Hallock,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Dec. 2024
-
But a big cheese board affords the chance for people to try something new.—
Betty Hallock,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
What To Know Sea lions across California's coast have contracted Leptospirosis in recent days, with at least 100 infected this month, per the MMC.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Here’s where things could get really icky for consumers: Right now, the lion’s share of cost pressures aren’t even coming from tariff-sensitive goods.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Big gun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20gun. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share