big cheese

noun

Definition of big cheesenext
as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group thinks he's a big cheese just because he's got a business card

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 cheese But a big cheese board affords the chance for people to try something new. — Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024 So for decades only accredited scholars, the occasional journalist and big cheeses got to see inside. — Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2023 Following a voting process, this international cut of designers aged under 40 will be whittled down to a final few before the winners are selected by a panel of the conglomerate’s key designers and c-suite big cheeses some time in the summer. — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big cheese
  1. heavyweight
  2. heavy
  3. big
  4. big gun
  5. big boy
  6. big wheel
  7. big leaguer
  8. major leaguer
Noun
  • The much-ballyhooed heavyweight boxing match between Mike Tyson and Andrew Golota ends abruptly when Golota quits after the second round; later Golota is hospitalized with a concussion.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 July 2026
  • Tech heavyweight Samsung Electronics fell almost 7% on Tuesday as concerns about spending and demand overshadowed a massive increase in the company’s second-quarter operating profit.
    — Justina Lee,Alex Harring, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of heavyweight
Noun
  • Geoffrey Lechantoux is responsible for the French-seafood-heavy menu.
    — Nancy Kane, Curbed, 25 June 2026
  • Most standard blends are nitrogen-heavy, which encourages leaf growth instead of fruit.
    — Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 20 June 2026
Definition of heavy
Noun
  • Robinson will be a far tougher test for Embiid and the East’s other bigs.
    — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • For the past few weeks, the Valkyries’ first-ever All-Star has been anchoring Golden State’s defense in critical moments, guarding opposing bigs and sacrificing offensive opportunities for the sake of scheme.
    — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
Definition of big
Noun
  • Clinging to a one-run lead and with the top of the order due up, Tracy went to one of his big guns, calling in Whitlock to put out the fire.
    — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 24 May 2026
  • The Minnesota Wild’s big guns showed up in a big way Saturday night, and the Avs looked wobbly for the first time in this tournament in a 5-1 loss in Game 3 at Grand Casino Arena.
    — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 10 May 2026
Definition of big gun
Noun
  • Thibodeau is a big boy, and Dolan is still paying him a lot of money from that $30 million extension signed in the summer of 2024.
    — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 17 June 2026
  • But taking on one of Wall Street’s big boys, and then getting squashed for it, ranks right up there.
    — Liz Peek, Washington Post, 4 May 2026
Definition of big boy
Noun
  • The car's quirky appearance is enhanced by a sporty body kit and big wheels that are pushed to the farthest edges.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Apr. 2026
  • More Coloradans are seeing the big wheel spin in their favor each year.
    — Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of big wheel
Noun
  • That was a gift from former Indy ball teammate and ex-big leaguer Matt Adams.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Around him was not a single big leaguer, minor leaguer, or anyone with a heater topping 90 miles per hour.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of big leaguer
Noun
  • Brooklyn’s Babe Herman was the only other major leaguer to hit for two cycles in one season since 1900.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • Kyle Schwarber became the first major leaguer to reach 30 homers this season with a two-run shot in the seventh inning that sent the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-4 win over the New York Mets on Sunday.
    — CBS New York Team, CBS News, 28 June 2026
Definition of major leaguer

Browse Nearby Words

big business
big cheese
big cheeses
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big cheese.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20cheese. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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