as in heavies
one of high position or importance within a group
a heavyweight in the U.S. Senate, he has a lot of clout in judicial confirmations
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Recent Examples of heavyweights
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
The weekend festival will feature esteemed authors and cultural luminaries, spanning literary heavyweights, performers, celebrity authors, poets, politicians and journalists.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
This season with the Lightning, Douglas’ fight card reflects a veritable who’s who of the NHL’s most prominent heavyweights, including bouts with Mathieu Olivier, Kurtis MacDermid and Tom Wilson.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Singapore leads a lineup of cultural heavyweights that includes global cities like London, which came in second on the list.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
The South Korean market had been on a tear last year, soaring more than 75%, and extended gains into the new year as well, with the Kospi hitting fresh highs on the back of semiconductor heavyweights that have seen their shares surge on strong memory chip demand.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
But for those willing to look beyond these heavyweights, Italy is home to some underrated gems that offer all the ingredients for a memorable city break – without the crowds.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 3 Mar. 2026
Under former President Bashar Assad, Syria was among Iran’s closest regional allies and a staunch critic of Israel, yet a statement from its foreign ministry singularly condemned Iran, reflecting the new government's efforts to rebuild ties with regional economic heavyweights and the United States.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
Arsenal play Bayer Leverkusen and the Premier League leaders have avoided the tournament’s heavyweights after their perfect record of eight wins put them top of the standings in the league phase.
—Reuters, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Nate Jones, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
The weekend festival will feature esteemed authors and cultural luminaries, spanning literary heavyweights, performers, celebrity authors, poets, politicians and journalists.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
This season with the Lightning, Douglas’ fight card reflects a veritable who’s who of the NHL’s most prominent heavyweights, including bouts with Mathieu Olivier, Kurtis MacDermid and Tom Wilson.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Singapore leads a lineup of cultural heavyweights that includes global cities like London, which came in second on the list.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
The South Korean market had been on a tear last year, soaring more than 75%, and extended gains into the new year as well, with the Kospi hitting fresh highs on the back of semiconductor heavyweights that have seen their shares surge on strong memory chip demand.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
But for those willing to look beyond these heavyweights, Italy is home to some underrated gems that offer all the ingredients for a memorable city break – without the crowds.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 3 Mar. 2026
Under former President Bashar Assad, Syria was among Iran’s closest regional allies and a staunch critic of Israel, yet a statement from its foreign ministry singularly condemned Iran, reflecting the new government's efforts to rebuild ties with regional economic heavyweights and the United States.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
Arsenal play Bayer Leverkusen and the Premier League leaders have avoided the tournament’s heavyweights after their perfect record of eight wins put them top of the standings in the league phase.
—Reuters, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavyweights
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
The Johnnies were led by 18 points a piece from bigs Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins, and a 14-point effort from guard Oziyah Sellers.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Even their bigs handle the ball like guards.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And in the milk biz, Guida and his brother Frank had gone from pickup truck peddling to the undisputed milk magnates of Central Connecticut.—
Jody Mamone,
Hartford Courant,
8 Mar. 2026
-
During America’s Gilded Age, the era’s industrial titans—steel, oil, and rail magnates—turned to Europe for inspiration for their home decor and architecture.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
All kings and tyrants fail in the end.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
As the mind behind Yellowstone, Taylor Sheridan has been hailed as one of the kings of modern Westerns, and this propulsive crime thriller is one of his essential watches.—
Sezin Devi Keohler,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But where does Ted Turner live now that other tycoons have bought up enough acreage to surpass his record?—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
6 Feb. 2026
-
During the Cannes Film Festival, tycoons and oligarchs feature on the guest list, rubbing shoulders with high-profile celebrities who relax with croquet games between press junkets.—
Mary Winston Nicklin,
AFAR Media,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Since 2003 there has been a 16 percent average annual increase in the numbers of lions and an average 7 percent for elephants, and a general fivefold jump in nonmigrating herbivores.—
Tom Vanderbilt,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Additionally, a pair of bronze bison stands on permanent display in Humboldt Park, created for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition by Edward Kemeys (who also sculpted the lions outside the Art Institute).—
Doug George,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There will be galas, dinners, concerts, and a ribbon cutting with all the local political bigwigs.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Walmart’s bigwigs are no exception.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heavyweights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavyweights. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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