as in heavyweights
one of high position or importance within a group
many of the heavy hitters in the wine industry were boozing and schmoozing at the expo
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Recent Examples of heavy hitters
Three heavy hitters in Minnesota music — Prince, the Replacements and Hüsker Dü — have new deluxe editions coming to stores and streaming.
—
Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
Spider-Man regulars Zendaya and Jacob Batalon return as MJ and Ned, respectively, while Marvel heavy hitters Mark Ruffalo (the Hulk) and Jon Bernthal (the Punisher) are among the cast.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 22 Sep. 2025
Those are all heavy hitters and while Batman obviously has a long list of enemies, who would be left if those are ruled out?
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
In just two years, the number of solar grazing projects has skyrocketed, especially in places backed by heavy hitters like DE Shaw and Berkshire Hathaway.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The actor, who has worked with Denis Villeneuve, the Coen Brothers, Oliver Stone, Paul Verhoeven, George Clooney, Spike Lee, Woody Allen, and several other heavy hitters, had nothing but praise for Cregger and Weapons.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Fall will bring more heavy hitters like Zootopia 2, which will challenge the conventional wisdom that Toy Story is the only series allowed to win the trophy more than once.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
Intel largely sat out last year's artificial intelligence boom among tech's heavy hitters, with shares dropping 60% in 2024.
—Pia Singh,yun Li, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2025
In addition to the heavy hitters from the North Shore, a few of the top schools from the South side of town made their way to Memorial Field, including reigning Div.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
Spider-Man regulars Zendaya and Jacob Batalon return as MJ and Ned, respectively, while Marvel heavy hitters Mark Ruffalo (the Hulk) and Jon Bernthal (the Punisher) are among the cast.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 22 Sep. 2025
Those are all heavy hitters and while Batman obviously has a long list of enemies, who would be left if those are ruled out?
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
In just two years, the number of solar grazing projects has skyrocketed, especially in places backed by heavy hitters like DE Shaw and Berkshire Hathaway.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The actor, who has worked with Denis Villeneuve, the Coen Brothers, Oliver Stone, Paul Verhoeven, George Clooney, Spike Lee, Woody Allen, and several other heavy hitters, had nothing but praise for Cregger and Weapons.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Fall will bring more heavy hitters like Zootopia 2, which will challenge the conventional wisdom that Toy Story is the only series allowed to win the trophy more than once.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
Intel largely sat out last year's artificial intelligence boom among tech's heavy hitters, with shares dropping 60% in 2024.
—Pia Singh,yun Li, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2025
In addition to the heavy hitters from the North Shore, a few of the top schools from the South side of town made their way to Memorial Field, including reigning Div.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy hitters
Noun
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This fall's live music scene is stacked full of hip-hop heavyweights and soulful R&B artists.—
Maria Leontaras,
Nashville Tennessean,
26 Sep. 2025
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The Die, My Love screening is just one of a host of glitzy premieres, luring Hollywood heavyweights such as Angelina Jolie (for Alice Winocour’s Couture) and Colin Farrell (for Edward Berger’s Ballad of a Small Player) to Spain’s northern coast this year.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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She’s tasked with slowing down top opposing bigs, and her versatility and willingness to defend some of the league’s best is key to freeing up Collier on both ends.—
Ben Pickman,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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Waiving Bradley without seeing how healthy those two bigs are would be irresponsible.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In February, Mayor Harrell, at the behest of local heavies such as Amazon and Microsoft, led the opposition to a referendum on another tax on those companies which would help pay for public, mixed-income housing in a city that desperately needs it.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This time the 6-foot-5, 230-pound quarterback showed off his wheels, converting a third-and-9 with a pile-pushing finish to a 20-yard run.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
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Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The battleship used to rule the seas thanks to big guns and thick armor, was displaced by the aircraft carrier.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Natisha Hiedeman scored 19 points off the bench and reserve Maria Kliundikova added eight, including a trio of big shots in the fourth.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The Hundred offers a cosy domestic dose of garish colors, potato crisp team sponsors and big shots.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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One of the biggest reasons the Padres’ slugging numbers are down is that those big boys have not produced the power that was expected out of them.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Still, expect short overhangs and big wheels, even if not quite the size of these absurdly chrome 24-inchers.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
ArsTechnica,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heavy hitters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy%20hitters. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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