big 1 of 3

adjective

ˈbig How to pronounce big (audio)
Definition of bignext
1
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
2
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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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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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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big

2 of 3

noun (1)

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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bigness

3 of 3

noun (2)

as in largeness
the quality or state of being large in size the sheer bigness of the 50-pound pumpkin made us want to buy it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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For
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a big deal
an important deal
a huge deal
a major deal
an enormous deal
a big city
a huge city
a major city
a massive city
a giant city
a sizable city
a big game
an important game
a huge game
a monumental game
a critical game
a big problem
a major problem
a serious problem
a huge problem
a tremendous problem
a humongous problem
a big mistake
a complete mistake
a total mistake
a huge mistake
a major mistake
a large mistake

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
The move proved fortuitous, as NBA franchise values have soared, with the biggest percentage gains at the bottom of the financial table, thanks to the league’s new 11-year, $77 billion TV contract. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 10 June 2025 This is the biggest ever conference organized on the ocean. —Vivienne Walt, Time, 10 June 2025
Noun
Playing with Watkins had been an obvious selling point to bigs in the portal such as Wisconsin’s Serah Williams, arguably the top forward available, and Arizona’s Breya Cunningham, who has since committed to Texas. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025 The Detroit Pistons could be without one of their best bigs. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for big
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big
  1. major
  2. large
  3. great
  4. rich
  5. main
  6. fashionable
  7. pregnant
  8. important
Adjective
  • This happened when the former Crystal Ice plant burned down some years ago in the midst of another major redevelopment project, on the R Street Corridor.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025
  • Officers responded around 4 a.m. to a major accident on Texas 121 and Beach Street.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2025
Definition of major
Adjective
  • The quarterly rebalanced mix of large, mid, and small-cap RV Portfolio stocks provided a flexible approach to capitalize on favorable market conditions while mitigating losses when markets decline, as elaborated in RV Portfolio performance metrics.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Monday night's attacks came 24 hours after Russian forces targeted regions throughout Ukraine with more than 470 attack drones -- one of the largest aerial strikes of the war, according to Ukraine's air force.
    — Jason Volack, ABC News, 10 June 2025
Definition of large
Adjective
  • No putt was more important than his 20-foot par putt up the ridge on No. 9 to finish off a great round the right way.
    — Doug Ferguson, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
  • Beckham, 50, is widely celebrated as one of the greatest players of his generation.
    — Meredith Kile, People.com, 13 June 2025
Definition of great
Adjective
  • He's torched his credibility with Tesla's most important customers (rich libs), but now risks becoming persona non grata among the MAGA faithful by going against the boss.
    — Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • This under-the-radar destination is rich in old world charm, including rolling hills, independent shops, small vineyards, and country inns.
    — Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2025
Definition of rich
Adjective
  • Israel hit Iran’s main enrichment site at Natanz, its leading nuclear scientists, and struck the heart of its ballistic missile program, Netanyahu said.
    — Spencer Kimball,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 June 2025
  • While the official investigation is still underway, early video and expert reviews have pointed to a few main theories.
    — Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Enjoy thrilling matches, strawberries and cream, Lanson fizz, fashionable outfits, celebrity spotting, and the all-round fun atmosphere that the tournament brings.
    — Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • The Flower girls, dressed in bright costumes of fashionable gardening gear and props, danced to popular music.
    — Yvette Walker, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2025
Definition of fashionable
Adjective
  • In late May, Kennedy disregarded the committee and announced the government would change the recommendation for children and pregnant women to get COVID-19 shots.
    — Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
  • The Department of Health and Human Services, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., sent a document to Congress defending its decision to remove COVID-19 recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women, as reported in NPR.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Definition of pregnant
Adjective
  • This is one of the most important services of their lives.
    — Buddha Lo, People.com, 13 June 2025
  • But what’s even more important is how the couple got together in the first place.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 13 June 2025
Definition of important

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 18 Jun. 2025.

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