as in famous
widely known
several big-name writers gave readings at the book festival
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-name
Craig Stingley had no legal training, no big-name lawyer or civil rights advocate by his side.
—
Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 13 Jan. 2026
Speaking of injuries, the Niners and Eagles both have some big-name players with injuries heading into the wild-card round, but Philadelphia seems to be getting healthier.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Next year looks to be another strong season for quarterbacks in Texas, with big names like Arch Manning, Marcel Reed and Kevin Jennings returning, plus big-name portal additions for Texas Tech (Brendan Sorsby) and TCU (Jaden Craig).
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
While neutral-site NIL games have indeed become a major trend, some schools have continued to play big-name nonconference opponents on their home court.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Discipline and rationality define the Mets’ offseason so far, but a path to landing a big-name free agent always existed.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Ohtani and Lindor are among the big-name stars who have committed to compete in this year’s event.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
Still, some big-name stocks had a milestone year.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
Schwartz was one of very few big-name figures left who had a performance scheduled at the Kennedy Center in 2026.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Jan. 2026
Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 13 Jan. 2026
Speaking of injuries, the Niners and Eagles both have some big-name players with injuries heading into the wild-card round, but Philadelphia seems to be getting healthier.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Next year looks to be another strong season for quarterbacks in Texas, with big names like Arch Manning, Marcel Reed and Kevin Jennings returning, plus big-name portal additions for Texas Tech (Brendan Sorsby) and TCU (Jaden Craig).
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
While neutral-site NIL games have indeed become a major trend, some schools have continued to play big-name nonconference opponents on their home court.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Discipline and rationality define the Mets’ offseason so far, but a path to landing a big-name free agent always existed.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Ohtani and Lindor are among the big-name stars who have committed to compete in this year’s event.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
Still, some big-name stocks had a milestone year.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
Schwartz was one of very few big-name figures left who had a performance scheduled at the Kennedy Center in 2026.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big-name
Adjective
-
From Denali, the train chugs south through the small town of Talkeetna, famous for its vistas of Mount McKinley.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Shop the brand’s famous skin tint, plus the rest of Fanning’s red carpet makeup routine, below.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Following her participation in the event, which reunited several of the stars of the famed 1966 Batman live-action series, Newmar won't attend any other fan conventions or expos.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Stamp to be publicly unveiled A first-day-of-issue ceremony for the Muhammad Ali Forever Stamp is planned for Thursday in Louisville, Kentucky, the birthplace of the famed boxer and home to the Muhammad Ali Center, which showcases his life and legacy.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Art enthusiasts Hans Ottinot, a prominent Broward attorney, and Nelson Adams, a Miami obstetrician associated with Jackson Memorial, are central to the museum’s dream team.—
Dorothy Jenkins Fields,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This pair, complete with the prominent markings always featured on the classic style, has a memory foam insert and a rubber sole that’s especially good for slippery winter weather.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Volkswagen may have a richer, more celebrated history of pop-top camper vans in general, but the model line bearing the California name launched in 1988, two years after the Ford Nugget made its world premiere.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The pair, who played brothers on the celebrated NBC drama, could be seen sitting next to each other in a snapshot from the event.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The film, directed by renowned German New Wave artist and filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger, is the latest retelling of the story of Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Báthory, a real-life aristocrat accused of bathing in the blood of virgins to retain her youth.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Local architects Central de Arquitectura and IZ Arquitectos worked on the building design, while interiors come courtesy of the renowned firm AvroKO.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Big-name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big-name. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
