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
The Sparks are backcourt heavy, then have three bigs in Nneka Ogwumike, Cameron Brink and Dearica Hamby.
—
Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 10 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
The Cavs have spaced the floor better with two bigs in Mobley and Allen under Atkinson.
—Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 6 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
Defensive struggles against the Joel Embiid/Tyrese Maxey pick-and-roll, which has flummoxed Boston’s bigs since Embiid’s mid-series return.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
The manager was clearly frustrated, talking about how the bigs in the portal weren’t that good.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
The Sky don’t want to limit their bigs to the low block and plan to stretch the floor as much as possible, which appeals to a smaller forward like Jackson.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 10 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
The Cavs have spaced the floor better with two bigs in Mobley and Allen under Atkinson.
—Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 6 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
Defensive struggles against the Joel Embiid/Tyrese Maxey pick-and-roll, which has flummoxed Boston’s bigs since Embiid’s mid-series return.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
The manager was clearly frustrated, talking about how the bigs in the portal weren’t that good.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
The Sky don’t want to limit their bigs to the low block and plan to stretch the floor as much as possible, which appeals to a smaller forward like Jackson.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bigs
Noun
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Samaniego, known in the clubhouse as ‘Sammy,’ saw his streak of 15 consecutive scoreless innings to begin his major league career end in the top of the eighth.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
15 May 2026
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The Cardinals snapped a two-game skid and improved their major league-best road record to 14-7.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Noun
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By ordinance, food establishments had until May 1 to renew their operating permit before the suspension was enforced.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2026
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These are not the kinds of establishments that are at home on busy city thoroughfares or town squares.—
Chelsea Brasted,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
Noun
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The row over allegations that Southampton sent an analyst to spy on Middlesbrough before the teams’ Championship play-off semi-final is kicking off big time.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and food prices are all on the upswing — big time.—
Nick Akerman,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bigs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bigs. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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