as in major league
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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Recent Examples of bigs
But for whatever reason, that process has stagnated in the bigs.
—
Tim Britton, New York Times, 29 May 2026
There are a few free agent bigs who are probably out of Denver’s price range (Mitchell Robinson, Robert Williams III, Kristaps Porzingis).
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
The Sky managed to break the 100-point mark despite an off night from their bigs, who combined for only 23 points.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
To maximize his strengths, the Thunder have surrounded Gilgeous-Alexander with strong outside shooting and pick-and-roll bigs.
—Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Toronto was shorthanded in the frontcourt without starting center Temi Fagbenle (right shoulder), and the Sparks trio of bigs had a field day with 54 points in the paint.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2026
But the Celtics have done a somewhat better job during the past five years of finding a combination of shooters — Sam Hauser (undrafted) and Payton Pritchard (late first round) and second-round bigs (Neemias Queta and Luka Garza).
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
Three Knicks bigs were already being forced to think instead of just play.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
One of the best bigs in [expletive] basketball history flops.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Tim Britton, New York Times, 29 May 2026
There are a few free agent bigs who are probably out of Denver’s price range (Mitchell Robinson, Robert Williams III, Kristaps Porzingis).
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
The Sky managed to break the 100-point mark despite an off night from their bigs, who combined for only 23 points.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
To maximize his strengths, the Thunder have surrounded Gilgeous-Alexander with strong outside shooting and pick-and-roll bigs.
—Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Toronto was shorthanded in the frontcourt without starting center Temi Fagbenle (right shoulder), and the Sparks trio of bigs had a field day with 54 points in the paint.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2026
But the Celtics have done a somewhat better job during the past five years of finding a combination of shooters — Sam Hauser (undrafted) and Payton Pritchard (late first round) and second-round bigs (Neemias Queta and Luka Garza).
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
Three Knicks bigs were already being forced to think instead of just play.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
One of the best bigs in [expletive] basketball history flops.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bigs
Noun
-
Justin Wrobleski gives up one hit over seven innings and strikes out nine in the best start of his major league career in the Dodgers’ 4-2 win over Philadelphia.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
The Toronto Blue Jays’ Charles McAdoo, a former Spartans star for both De La Salle High and San Jose State, had a memorable major league debut on Friday night.—
Jon Becker,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
In his victory speech, Qualls, who pitched himself as an outsider countering the party establishment, said the party should rally together to defeat the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party in November.—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
-
Ishikawa herself worked in one of the bars that served Black soldiers, at a time when most establishments were segregated.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Now, with the Knicks returning to the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years, that bullish bet on Brunson is paying off — big time.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
26 May 2026
-
Thanks to Quince’s latest luggage drop, this practice in self-restraint is about to pay off, big time.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bigs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bigs. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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