big 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbig How to pronounce big (audio)
Definition of bignext
1
as in major
having great meaning or lasting effect there will be a big meeting to resolve the issue

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in large
of a size greater than average of its kind bought a big apple to quench his raging appetite

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in great
having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature how big of you to give your subordinates most of the credit

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4
as in rich
having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor) inexperienced wine drinkers should not start with such a big wine

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in main
coming before all others in importance the big story that year was the election of the president

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6
as in fashionable
enjoying widespread favor or approval jackets with very wide lapels were big that year

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7
as in pregnant
containing unborn young within the body a mare big with a foal

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big

2 of 2

noun

1
as in heavy
one of high position or importance within a group with that new promotion he's now one of the bigs in the company

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in major league
usually bigs plural the highest level of a field of endeavor a candidate who is running for president is playing in the bigs and cannot afford to make major mistakes

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For
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a big deal
an important deal
a huge deal
a major deal
an enormous deal
a big city
a huge city
a major city
a massive city
a giant city
a sizable city
a big game
an important game
a huge game
a monumental game
a critical game
a big problem
a major problem
a serious problem
a huge problem
a tremendous problem
a humongous problem
a big mistake
a complete mistake
a total mistake
a huge mistake
a major mistake
a large mistake

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of big
Adjective
But the Cavaliers responded by outscoring the Heat 61-35 over the rest of the first half to enter halftime with a big 68-51 lead behind scorching 14-of-23 (60.9 percent) shooting from three-point range in the first two quarters. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025 Denny was a big John Bonham freak, and that’s just pure Bonham right there. —Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
In sharp contrast to Chattanooga, the Anteaters are led by a duo of senior bigs, with 7-foot center Bent Leuchten leading the team with 15.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, pairing with senior forward Devin Tillis, who's averaged 13.5 points and 7.8 rebounds. —Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025 The Red Wolves earned their big by knocking off James Madison to win the Sun Belt Tournament and will face UConn for the first meeting in the programs’ histories. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for big
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big
  1. major
  2. large
  3. great
  4. rich
  5. main
  6. fashionable
  7. pregnant
  8. heavy
Adjective
  • The business Leicester did in that window would be a major cause of scrutiny during the season and could be held up as a major factor in their struggles after the managerial change.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Quail Hollow Club was the host to the PGA Championship back in 2017, when Thomas won his first major championship.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of major
Adjective
  • Shahani also believes Nissan’s Infiniti luxury brand can grow with the new QX80 and upcoming QX60 large and midsize SUVs, respectively.
    — Mark Phelan, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • In the mid-2000s, the fracking revolution took off, making the US the largest oil and natural gas producer in the world.
    — Umair Irfan, Vox, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of large
Adjective
  • Cancer, a disease that doesn’t discriminate and spares no one from its reach, has long been one of humanity’s greatest adversaries.
    — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • This is a great UFC Fight Night that will not disappoint; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
Definition of great
Adjective
  • The main living areas are located on the ground and second floors, offering expansive reception rooms, intricate plasterwork, and rich period details that have been carefully restored and elevated under Kime’s discerning eye and commitment to authenticity.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Video Other rich countries have not filled the gap.
    — Declan Walsh, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of rich
Adjective
  • These kinds of breaches often happen quietly, exposing large amounts of customer information without touching a company’s main systems.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The space, which is located at 1415 4th Ave. had housed offices and a spa in the past, and because of this the layout includes a large main area and multiple smaller 10-foot by 13-foot rooms.
    — Virgie Tovar, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of main
Adjective
  • By the 1960s, women were making more fashionable style choices.
    — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Newly single Rachel Zoe, meanwhile, made a grand entrance flanked by a fashionable crew.
    — Brianne Tracy, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of fashionable
Adjective
  • Mummy Pig talks pregnancy, big feelings Kelce, also pregnant with her fourth daughter at the time, extended her congratulations and asked how Mummy Pig's other children, Peppa and George, were handling the news.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Experts advise consulting a provider before starting aloe vera juice, particularly for people who are pregnant or managing chronic conditions.
    — Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of pregnant
Noun
  • Harry heads back to the yard, where a group of Kevin's Czechoslovakian hired heavies are preparing for war.
    — Matt Cabral, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • On Twin Peaks, Strong plays Jones, the right-hand woman for one of the series’ heavies.
    — Drew Mackie, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of heavy

Phrases Containing big

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bifurcations
big
bigamies
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Cite this Entry

“Big.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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