big-time 1 of 2

Definition of big-timenext
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
Miami, Cleveland, Chicago, New York and even New Jersey were all big-time bidders. Zach Harper, New York Times, 24 July 2026 The Stars’ history with their big-time 30-somethings Robertson will be 27 next year. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
Noun
The Iberians slipped up big time in their first match of the tournament, being shocked by Switzerland 1-0, bringing back ghosts of tournament failures past for Spanish fans. Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026 Miles escapes, but the events of that night will come back big time. Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for big-time
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big-time
Adverb
  • Zhang Xianzhe, an engineer connected to China’s Chengdu aircraft design establishment, warned that large language models can invent highly specific military information.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026
  • There were also active fires near a well designed to remove methane, which is highly flammable.
    Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • Fernandes says the north side of the park is much better than the south side because his team is working section by section to bring change, noting that a safe park is critical to the well-being of the people who live in the area.
    Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • And spreading out shots is not necessarily safer, because the diseases that vaccines prevent or make milder can have consequences that are much more serious than the fever or muscle soreness that can follow vaccination.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • Both the United States, through the Apollo missions, and the Soviet Union delivered lunar samples to Earth more than 50 years ago, greatly shaping research on and understanding of the moon.
    Andrew Jones, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The first proposal — Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO) — introduced and backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson along with community advocates, would greatly improve the rights of those most vulnerable.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • Over the past three decades, total property tax levies in Cook County rose at roughly twice the pace of inflation and considerably more than average wages, according to research released in March by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Rishi Advanced Aesthetics, who says the clinician's role has evolved considerably, from simply recommending treatments to helping patients navigate an enormous amount of information and separate genuine innovation from marketing.
    Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • With one gentle squeeze of a tweezer or lash applicator, they’re secured in place all day and look completely, utterly natural.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
  • All these made the neighborhood vibrant and utterly essential to the enormous city.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 17 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • The outcome of this bellwether case is expected to significantly influence whether other states pursue similar legal actions against AI companies.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Accessibility Because the property is spread across historic adobe buildings with uneven pathways, stairs, and narrow passages, accessibility can vary significantly by room category.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • Alberts Šmits gives them a highly mobile, top-pairing-caliber defenseman, while Cole Beaudoin provides a tremendously hardworking presence down the middle.
    Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Now this is going to drive up the cost of your life, inconvenience you tremendously, and your child is getting six jobs -- six jabs, not two.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • The massively popular Crave Original series Heated Rivalry is expanding its Season 2 cast, adding five.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
  • And those are two massively different results with, effectively, the same product.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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