big gun

noun

Definition of big gunnext
as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group for a high-profile case like this, the law firm uses only its big guns

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 gun Related Stories Chile, as the guest country of honor, will be sending its big guns with Pablo Larrain, Sebastián Lelio and Maite Alberdi leading a contingent. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026 There also aren't too many catchers who can put up above-average offensive stats these days, so adding Jeffers into the deal means the Yankees should be prepared to part ways with at least one of their big guns in the pitching pipeline, namely Carlos Lagrange or Elmer Rodríguez. — Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025 Against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, Wrexham twice raced into a two-goal lead only for the half-time of introduction of the Premier League’s ‘big guns’ to underline how far the Welsh club still has to go if their owners’ top flight ambitions are to be realised. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 May 2026 The comedy big guns come out to pay their respects to the groundbreaking genius whose comedy is still radical — Ben Stiller, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Dave Chappelle, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman are just a few. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for big gun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big gun
  1. heavyweight
  2. heavy
  3. big
  4. big wheel
  5. big boy
  6. big leaguer
  7. major leaguer
  8. heavy hitter
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • Relative to some of the real heavy hitters in this competition, Mexico are not stacked with unimpeachable star power.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • One ultra-rare piece of baseball history could be quite the heavy hitter on the block.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 29 June 2026
Definition of heavy hitter

Browse Nearby Words

biggish
big gun
big guns
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Cite this Entry

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

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