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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of heavy hitters
Among the list are a few heavy hitters, including Kiley; notably, Martha Guerrero, the mayor of West Sacramento; Thien Ho, the Sacramento County district attorney; and Richard Pan, who previously served in the California Assembly and Senate from 2012 to 2022.
—
Noe Padilla, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The sport's surge has some heavy hitters behind it.
—Itay Hod, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
However, Paramount's slate of franchises still aren't quite the heavy hitters that WBD carries on its roster.
—Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
Other films nominated in the category included some heavy hitters like Lilo & Stitch and Zootropolis 2.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026
That’s saying a lot; every casino has a steakhouse and heavy hitters such as Jose Andres, Jean George Vongerichten, Emeril Lagasse and Wolfgang Puck all have steakhouses there.
—Rachel E. Stassen-Berger, Des Moines Register, 12 Feb. 2026
Neon acquired the bulk of this year’s global heavy hitters at Cannes and is proving increasingly dominant in this brave new world that Netflix helped usher in.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
There are some heavy hitters arriving right now, namely Bridgerton season 5, which will soon rocket to #1.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
A number of New York galleries have closed in the past year, including heavy hitters like Sperone Westwater, Venus Over Manhattan, and Clearing, as well as nonprofits like Canal Projects.
—News Desk, Artforum, 28 Jan. 2026
Noe Padilla, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The sport's surge has some heavy hitters behind it.
—Itay Hod, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
However, Paramount's slate of franchises still aren't quite the heavy hitters that WBD carries on its roster.
—Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
Other films nominated in the category included some heavy hitters like Lilo & Stitch and Zootropolis 2.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026
That’s saying a lot; every casino has a steakhouse and heavy hitters such as Jose Andres, Jean George Vongerichten, Emeril Lagasse and Wolfgang Puck all have steakhouses there.
—Rachel E. Stassen-Berger, Des Moines Register, 12 Feb. 2026
Neon acquired the bulk of this year’s global heavy hitters at Cannes and is proving increasingly dominant in this brave new world that Netflix helped usher in.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
There are some heavy hitters arriving right now, namely Bridgerton season 5, which will soon rocket to #1.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
A number of New York galleries have closed in the past year, including heavy hitters like Sperone Westwater, Venus Over Manhattan, and Clearing, as well as nonprofits like Canal Projects.
—News Desk, Artforum, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy hitters
Noun
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The Actor award went to Amy Madigan, a lone nominee from a horror film who’s swimming against a prevailing current that favors Best Picture heavyweights.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
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The weekend festival will feature esteemed authors and cultural luminaries, spanning literary heavyweights, performers, celebrity authors, poets, politicians and journalists.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Actually, most starting Big Ten bigs would leave Fielder in the dust.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
8 Mar. 2026
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Blount said afterward that her team was unselfish with the guards feeding the post and the bigs kicking the ball back out to give guards shots.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Specifically, Alioto sought to reimagine the magazine as a many-pronged vehicle for promising tastes—like those of regular contributors and critical heavies, Grace Byron and Greta Rainbow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
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Absinthe-eyed, she projectile-vomits blunt observations and also oysters onto the heavies, overimbibing her way into her own grave once she’s inevitably discarded with a shot and shove down a stairwell (a barely-there John Magaro plays one of the gangsters).—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Bruins coach Marco Sturm made some pretty sizable line changes to start the game, plugging in rookie center Minten between David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie to try and coax more production out of his big guns.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
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The team needs that supporting cast clicking at the same time as big guns to create more sustained pressure.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The amendment allows a property owner to put two ADUs or tiny homes on wheels on lots.—
Mark Dee
March 12,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Mar. 2026
-
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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Frogs made enough big shots in the final minutes to prevent another upset.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Picking up full court, hitting big shots.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Only little boys are called big boys.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Jan. 2026
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There are big boys throwing their weight around, and there are wild skinnies with flying arms and spinning back-kicks, chopping out their emergency version of personal space.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The cars that Geely showcased at CES, in Las Vegas, were large SUVs with big wheels, opulent interiors, and three rows of seats—not unlike a Ford Explorer.—
Patrick George,
The Atlantic,
23 Jan. 2026
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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 15 Mar. 2026.
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