MOVERS AND SHAKERS Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

movers and shakers

noun

plural of mover and shaker

as in big shots

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for movers and shakers

Noun

That’s why in this episode, Olivia goes looking for the kind of investor who is angry enough to stick it to the big shots.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
The big deals have been made, the big shots have come and gone.

— David Szondy July 23, New Atlas, 23 July 2026

Definition of big shots

Noun

However, with each Champions League victory crucial to progressing toward the next round, neither would want to rest their big guns, either.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026
After England have raised a glass comes a three-match one-day international series this week when India will welcome back big guns including captain Shubman Gill and legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

— Paul Newman, New York Times, 12 July 2026

Definition of big guns

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
The cars that Geely showcased at CES, in Las Vegas, were large SUVs with big wheels, opulent interiors, and three rows of seats—not unlike a Ford Explorer.

— Patrick George, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026

Definition of big wheels

Noun

The cost figures draw on the Family Budget Calculator developed by the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute from federal data on rents, food costs and consumer spending, with The Post’s own health care estimates.

— Amy L. Wong, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Another star turn goes to Mary Ellen Pleasant, who was arguably America’s first Black millionaire and inarguably one of the most canny and chameleonlike figures this country has ever produced.

— Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of figures

Noun

To the average investor, the bond markets may seem like a concern better left to Wall Street bigwigs.

— Personal Finance, TheWeek, 30 Sep. 2026
The idea, according to officials, would bring $500 million to the city’s coffers annually, paid primarily by bigwigs who get to enjoy city life but don’t pay city income taxes.

— Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of bigwigs

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.

Browse Nearby Words

movers

movers and shakers

moves

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Movers and shakers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/movers%20and%20shakers. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of movers and shakers

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shindig

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes