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
The newcomer is alongside the likes of heavy hitters like Emma Stone, Amanda Seyfried, Renate Reinsve, Rose Byrne, and Jessie Buckley in her category.
—
Meg Walters, InStyle, 4 Jan. 2026
Wall Street heavy hitters have already begun throwing their weight behind SpaceX as private investors.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
But outside of those heavy hitters, the South is home to thousands of destinations that get far less attention but are worthy of our time all the same.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
This memoir examines life’s heavy hitters like financial setbacks, caring for a dying parent, and divorce, with candor and raw transparency.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 30 Dec. 2025
And speaking of funny, though the show is full of heavy hitters, scuttling between characters in the wings is its true secret weapon, Ikechukwu Ufomadu.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
This year’s list has lots of new names developing innovative tools to defend against AI threats, while some of the existing heavy hitters on the list have raised more capital and built out their rosters of customers.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Either of these heavy hitters can make a compelling case based on its merits.
—PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
That year’s category was stacked with heavy hitters, including Salma Hayek, Julianne Moore and Renée Zellweger.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Meg Walters, InStyle, 4 Jan. 2026
Wall Street heavy hitters have already begun throwing their weight behind SpaceX as private investors.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
But outside of those heavy hitters, the South is home to thousands of destinations that get far less attention but are worthy of our time all the same.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
This memoir examines life’s heavy hitters like financial setbacks, caring for a dying parent, and divorce, with candor and raw transparency.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 30 Dec. 2025
And speaking of funny, though the show is full of heavy hitters, scuttling between characters in the wings is its true secret weapon, Ikechukwu Ufomadu.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
This year’s list has lots of new names developing innovative tools to defend against AI threats, while some of the existing heavy hitters on the list have raised more capital and built out their rosters of customers.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Either of these heavy hitters can make a compelling case based on its merits.
—PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
That year’s category was stacked with heavy hitters, including Salma Hayek, Julianne Moore and Renée Zellweger.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy hitters
Noun
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The congratulatory messages from the two ex-presidents, who are among the Democratic Party’s most popular national figures, appear to be a signal mainstream Democratic heavyweights are warming up to Mamdani as the party continues to regroup following staggering losses nationally in 2024.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
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In the first episode of Season 3, Tommy is working to unite the city's biggest drug heavyweights to solidify his own network alongside his partner, Diamond.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Cherry also resembles one of the best bigs in basketball in Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks, from the build to the high hair and the cool and calm demeanor.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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New York's farm system is as good as any, and features several players nearing the bigs.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Kier’s American career centered around playing heavies.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
24 Nov. 2025
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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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The comedy big guns come out to pay their respects to the groundbreaking genius whose comedy is still radical — Ben Stiller, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Dave Chappelle, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman are just a few.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
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Sunday’s iteration – David Pastrnak-Pavel Zacha-Casey Mittelstadt – finished minus-2 and were outplayed by the Sens’ big guns.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
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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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
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And the boy looked at this giant peppermint on the wheels and felt pride.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Pierce Thompson made some big shots in the second half and had 13 points.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2026
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Sure, there have been big shots from Grimes on Saturday night and Kelly Oubre in Wednesday night’s 117-116 opening win over the Boston Celtics.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 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 11 Jan. 2026.
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