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
Spurs bigs Tim Duncan and David Robinson were dominant in Ewing’s absence.
—
Esfandiar Baraheni, New York Times, 3 June 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
Florida is probably one of the few teams with the frontcourt strength to neutralize Maryland bigs Derik Queen and Julian Reese.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Esfandiar Baraheni, New York Times, 3 June 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
Florida is probably one of the few teams with the frontcourt strength to neutralize Maryland bigs Derik Queen and Julian Reese.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bigs
Noun
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Jason DeCaro is major league ready now.—
Darren Cooper,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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All three drives were off Kyle Bradish, who hadn't given up more than two homers in his previous 80 major league starts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Noun
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The competing dynamics in Michigan and Maine reflect a broader battle over the direction of the Democratic Party, with establishment leaders viewing more centrist candidates as electable while progressive activists push for more ideologically ambitious candidates.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2026
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Pride Month falls in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, which were in response to a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, one of the few establishments in the city at the time that served the LGBTQ+ community.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Noun
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The humidity will go up big time from the morning to the evening, from humid to muggy, so shorts are a must, along with having the umbrella handy just in case.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
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Last year’s trio of big time home games (Texas, Alabama, Ole Miss) didn’t hurt either.—
Tyler Estep,
AJC.com,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bigs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bigs. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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