big 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbig How to pronounce big (audio)
Definition of bignext
1
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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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in major
having great meaning or lasting effect there will be a big meeting to resolve the issue

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 2

noun

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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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
Her long, glossy hair was swept dramatically over to one side, with lots of lift at the roots and big, soft waves cascading down to her ribs. — Marci Robin, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026 The deal is also Rhode Island’s biggest residential sale of 2026 so far, edging out a $16 million Newport estate that sold in January. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
Data show those players have about an 11% chance to reach the bigs (compared to about 81% for those picked in the first round). — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026 Ajayi can be utilized as a switcher on defense, taking on roles such as guarding the ball handler or the opposing big. — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for big
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big
  1. large
  2. major
  3. great
  4. rich
  5. main
  6. fashionable
  7. pregnant
  8. heavy
Adjective
  • Aerial footage showed a large law enforcement presence on Sunset Boulevard, which appeared to be closed off to traffic.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Only about 6% of the region’s deposits are controlled by the combined bank, ranking fourth behind larger national competition such as Truist, Bank of America and Wells Fargo.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of large
Adjective
  • Investors have increasingly scrutinized the chipmaker’s expanding financial ties with major AI customers.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • That ironic reality may await passengers on KLM’s new Amsterdam-Toronto route this fall, among other major carriers.
    — Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • If cultural norms do shape footballing identities, that gap may help explain why the Spanish game has historically placed a greater premium on collective structures than some of its European neighbours.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • His greatest series let people see a character who has revealed the filthiest, most shameful parts of themselves, and imagine them as a mirror.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of great
Adjective
  • There’s a rich sense of history here, too, from the naming of all four stands after club legends and former owner Sir Jack Hayward to the statue of England great Billy Wright that sits outside the main entrance on Waterloo Road.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The island is home to rich coastal ecosystems and serves as a nesting place for several species of sea turtles.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of rich
Adjective
  • Speaking to voters Of course, there are skeptics everywhere in this arena, not least concerning the two main protagonists.
    — Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • This main event headlines the first PBC world title fight of the new DAZN era, also broadcast on Prime Video.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Ironically, in Hollywood, the land of eternal youth, end-of-life-doula training has become newly fashionable in the way that studying Kabbalah once was.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Showing off a bump was hardly fashionable until the early ’90s.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of fashionable
Adjective
  • The findings, published in 2014, found a dramatic drop in a mouse’s ability to become pregnant and successfully carry a fetus to term.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Shams – pregnant, isolated, yet unbroken – carries the weight of all this, and the fragile possibility of something new.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of pregnant
Noun
  • Dallas Caton’s bass-heavy production lays the foundation for the frantic and propulsive record.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
  • Soon after Rhaenyra executes Otto Hightower, who was once mastermind of that family’s schemes, Ormund steps up to be the faction’s new heavy.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
Definition of heavy

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 15 Aug. 2026.

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