Goliath

noun

Go·​li·​ath gə-ˈlī-əth How to pronounce Goliath (audio)
Synonyms of Goliathnext
1
: a Philistine champion who in I Samuel 17 is killed by David
2
: giant

Synonyms of Goliath

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Examples of Goliath in a Sentence

the family-owned company lost the contract to a multibillion-dollar Goliath
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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.
But this David-and-Goliath story did not begin with data centers. — Rana Mitter, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 In a David-and-Goliath upset, the Angels stunned Jacob Misiorowski and the Brewers on Sunday afternoon, capping Milwaukee's three-day stay in Anaheim. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 So, how did David, small in stature relative to Goliath, defeat the giant without armor or a sword? — Linda Berckmann, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Aug. 2026 David overcomes Goliath while Odysseus defeats the cyclops Polyphemus. — Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for Goliath

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew Golyath

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Goliath was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing Goliath

Browse Nearby Words

goliardic
Goliath
goliath beetle
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Cite this Entry

“Goliath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Goliath. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on Goliath

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Goliath

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