bigwig

noun

ˈbig-ˌwig How to pronounce bigwig (audio)
Definition of bigwignext
as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group interviewed by several bigwigs on the hospital's staff

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bigwig Several members of the cast and writer’s room, including Dippold and co-star Jeff Hiller, got their start with the Upright Citizens Brigade, an improvisational sketch-comedy group founded by comedy bigwigs like Amy Poehler and Adam McKay. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 29 June 2026 Naturally, Bravo’s bigwigs and Cohen were pretty peeved to see gossip sites scooping them on their own reunion. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 10 June 2026 Immediately afterwards, international dance music bigwigs such as Carl Cox, Martin Garrix, David Guetta, and Peggy Gou took over the sound system to get everyone on the dance floor. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 6 June 2026 Ever since 1948, when the resident artist Victor Vasarely put Gordes on the map, the town has welcomed political bigwigs, French presidents, artists, and musicians. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bigwig
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bigwig
  1. heavyweight
  2. big
  3. heavy
  4. magnate
  5. tycoon
Noun
  • Coming into the fight, the headlines were all about Itauma, the 21-year-old Brit with a chance to make history by becoming the youngest heavyweight to win a world title since Mike Tyson did so at age 20 in 1986.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • How would Leading Change be able to knock heads against the heavyweights of the division at a mile and a quarter distance?
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of heavyweight
Noun
  • Unfortunately, the less said about China’s guards, the better; their main job is to get the ball past half court without turning it over and then feed the bigs.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • That is a remarkable incentive, if not catnip, to send Condon to the bigs.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of big
Noun
  • The album also features cameos by heavies from Gojira, Lamb of God, Queens of the Stone Age, and Clutch.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The one-room restaurant retains the clean, minimalist aesthetic that Anthony has cultivated at the upscale sushi counter but has more stone incorporated into the space than a traditional, wood-heavy omakase would.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of heavy
Noun
  • Sargeant, a Florida oil magnate, had come under fire from Venezuelan opposition figures and US allies for allegedly propping up Maduro.
    — Fabiola Zerpa, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Ryan Reynolds is already something of a modern-day Renaissance man, being a highly successful actor, billionaire business mogul, and global soccer magnate.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of magnate
Noun
  • Two notable examples are the East India Company and the US transcontinental railroad, and the various tycoons who built it.
    — Space.com Staff, Space.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Two of the most impressive and imposing estates on the island, Whitehall and The Breakers, were developed by Flagler—the railroad tycoon who stitched Florida together with train tracks in the late 19th century.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of tycoon

Browse Nearby Words

big wheels
bigwig
bigwigs
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bigwig.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bigwig. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All