big 1 of 3

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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Relevance

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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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 3

noun (1)

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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bigness

3 of 3

noun (2)

as in largeness
the quality or state of being large in size the sheer bigness of the 50-pound pumpkin made us want to buy it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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
Florida is probably one of the few teams with the frontcourt strength to neutralize Maryland bigs Derik Queen and Julian Reese. —Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025 Johnson is a magnetic three-level scorer, and Morrow has been humiliating opposing bigs with more than five offensive rebounds per game. —Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 24 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. important
Adjective
  • The Department of Justice (DOJ) has a major advantage here: Google is guilty.
    — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The series has achieved cult status among Indian cinema enthusiasts and remains the country’s only major female cop franchise.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 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
  • This shift has allowed different countries, including India, to become larger players in the defense technology domain.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of large
Adjective
  • However, the Canadians are doing less, which forces the U.S. to take on a greater share of the responsibility.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • But at first, the seizures were a source of great anxiety for our whole family.
    — Grace Bastidas, Parents, 14 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
  • The rest of the body's main chakras are located down the five segments of the spine—cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx—which are governed by the sympathetic nervous system.
    — Tony Sanchez, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
  • One study showed that consuming moderate- and high-GI fruits after main meals can improve blood insulin and insulin function.
    — Merve Ceylan, Health, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Newly single Rachel Zoe, meanwhile, made a grand entrance flanked by a fashionable crew.
    — Brianne Tracy, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • By the 1960s, women were making more fashionable style choices.
    — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of fashionable
Adjective
  • Isotretinoin is known to cause severe birth defects and miscarriages in people who are pregnant, says Wong.
    — Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Her doctor reassured her treatment options existed for pregnant women, and in her first trimester, Louis began chemotherapy for de novo metastatic breast cancer, which had also spread to her liver.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of pregnant
Adjective
  • Three Key Lessons: Pareek’s Insights into Innovation Over the course of his career, Pareek has learned many important lessons.
    — William Jones, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Big-ticket buying Washing machines are seen for sale at a home improvement store in Falls Church, Virginia, February 3, 2025, following the announcement of tariffs by US President Donald Trump on important goods from Canada and Mexico.
    — Sara Salinas, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of important

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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