big unknown

noun

chiefly US
: the important thing that everyone would like to know
The big unknown is how investors will react.

Examples of big unknown in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There is a big unknown lurking out there, though: What is Aaron Rodgers planning to do? Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025 However, opportunistic investors should not bank on quick returns, since the duration of the tariff tumult poses a big unknown, Groth noted. Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025 The big unknown: Can Queen improve his shot to an NBA caliber? Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 The big unknown is where the wage bill will land this season. Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025 Ultimately, Green says, the big unknown is whether, at some point, the same economic uncertainty currently having a positive impact on interest rates will actually cause the US economy to tip into recession. Kevin Williams, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2025 The big unknown is whether the virus will change to cause more serious illness in humans, says Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. Bykai Kupferschmidt, science.org, 7 Nov. 2024 One big unknown is President-elect Trump's push to expel undocumented immigrants. Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 Biden’s exit from stage left and Kamala Harris’ subsequent loss yielded a big unknown for where that party goes. Philip Elliott, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big unknown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20unknown. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

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!