big 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbig How to pronounce big (audio)
Definition of bignext
1
as in large
of a size greater than average of its kind bought a big apple to quench his raging appetite

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in major
having great meaning or lasting effect there will be a big meeting to resolve the issue

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in great
having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature how big of you to give your subordinates most of the credit

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4
as in rich
having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor) inexperienced wine drinkers should not start with such a big wine

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in main
coming before all others in importance the big story that year was the election of the president

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in fashionable
enjoying widespread favor or approval jackets with very wide lapels were big that year

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7
as in pregnant
containing unborn young within the body a mare big with a foal

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

big

2 of 2

noun

1
as in heavy
one of high position or importance within a group with that new promotion he's now one of the bigs in the company

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in major league
usually bigs plural the highest level of a field of endeavor a candidate who is running for president is playing in the bigs and cannot afford to make major mistakes

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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
Adjective
Filling out forms like a big, fancy autofill machine is one thing, and AI agents are quickly proving to be pretty good at that. — Allison Johnson, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026 Jonathan Evans, a civil rights attorney who has sued the department, thinks the big payouts show that greater public awareness of mental health issues is a factor. — Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
Polish superstar Robert Lewandowski joining the Chicago Fire has been a big to Woznik, who is just as likely to groove to the great romantic 19th century Polish composer Frederic Chopin. — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 Mamukelashvili is a multi-positional big who can space the floor as a power forward or back up Kessler. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for big
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big
  1. large
  2. major
  3. great
  4. rich
  5. main
  6. fashionable
  7. pregnant
  8. heavy
Adjective
  • The owner of The Armoury, a four-unit men’s retailer with locations in New York and Hong Kong, has acquired his largest brand, named a new creative director and launched a second career as a pseudo real estate developer.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The sink basins are large enough, however, the stopper (plug) at the sanitizer basin does not work and water continuously flows.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of large
Adjective
  • The Category 3 storm has grown into a major hurricane, the first of an unusually quiet Atlantic season, and is expected to make landfall Friday night.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Most major mergers are consummated after executives have dedicated months to quietly drafting detailed operational plans and organizational hierarchies.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • Maines’ voice sounds great, and Maguire’s grand viola break after the bridge adds requisite drama.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The defender made a great play, but Manning made a bad throw.
    — Mac Engel October 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of great
Adjective
  • The whole brims with a sense of place, weaving the capital’s rich artistic heritage into a background that is unashamedly luxurious.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The administration's plan to allow more imports of foreign beef has particularly roiled the agriculture-rich state of Nebraska.
    — NICHOLAS INGRAM, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of rich
Adjective
  • Saudi Arabia kept its main international airport closed and moved Riyadh schools online on Sunday after a deadly strike by Yemen’s Houthi rebels the day before.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Our main focus is on J & J’s Innovative Medicine pharma segment.
    — Zev Fima,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • This 15-room Georgian-era townhouse, tucked away in a residential street in Gardens (a fashionable neighborhood known for its restaurants, bars, and interior shops), is full of surprises.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Van Wissen and Lupker hope to expand the service to such fashionable cities as London, New York, Milan and Los Angeles, and are eyeing emerging destinations like Turkey and Morocco, too.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of fashionable
Adjective
  • It is also recommended for all pregnant people between 32 and 36 weeks' gestation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The manufacturer warns they should not be used on high-risk populations such as children, pregnant women or disabled people.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of pregnant
Noun
  • That also suggests the league accepts, or at least tolerates, the flag-heavy officiating that has come to define the early months of the season.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The forecast is for rain and wind off the lake (hit the under heavy) and that will put a premium on running the football and lessen the reliance on Rodgers, who might be feeling the effects of a short week.
    — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of heavy

Phrases Containing big

Browse Nearby Words

bifurcations
big
bigamies
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Cite this Entry

“Big.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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