1
as in large
of a size greater than average of its kind
bought a big apple to quench his raging appetite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in major
having great meaning or lasting effect
there will be a big meeting to resolve the issue
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in rich
having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor)
inexperienced wine drinkers should not start with such a big wine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in main
coming before all others in importance
the big story that year was the election of the president
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in fashionable
enjoying widespread favor or approval
jackets with very wide lapels were big that year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in pregnant
containing unborn young within the body
a mare big with a foal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
But a wedding isn’t the only big event the couple had on their schedules for 2026, though.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2026
Stan Son, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Redshirt sophomore Jana El Alfy got an unusually early opportunity, coming in first off the bench before the three-minute mark of the first quarter, and Auriemma also took Strong off the floor for several stretches to see the team’s other bigs navigate without her presence.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for big
Adjective
Aries March 21 – April 19 Aries, your curiosity points to a bigger road.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
But a wedding isn’t the only big event the couple had on their schedules for 2026, though.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
The presence of Young should benefit the bigs and shooters, but the impact will be mitigated by the limited playing time.
—Stan Son, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Redshirt sophomore Jana El Alfy got an unusually early opportunity, coming in first off the bench before the three-minute mark of the first quarter, and Auriemma also took Strong off the floor for several stretches to see the team’s other bigs navigate without her presence.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for big
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big
Adjective
-
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that about one in nine CEOs of the 1,500 largest public companies were replaced last year — the highest turnover rate since at least 2010 in the wake of the Great Recession.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Vogue is committed to reporting and riffing on the global fashion conversation—always filtered through the lens of culture and what’s happening in the world at large.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Step Back Nation Media Group owns major newspapers across East Africa, including the Daily Nation, Business Daily, and The EastAfrican.—
Vivianne Wandera,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Hundreds in the country, which hosts major Iran ally Hezbollah, have died under Israeli bombardments amid the war on Iran.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
His pressure rate numbers are remarkable — even if his sack numbers aren’t — which is great news for a Panthers pass rush that was among the worst in the league last year.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The advisory warns of possible tornadoes, hail greater than 2 inches in diameter, winds greater than 70 miles per hour and localized flash flooding for areas near and south of I-80.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Interestingly, the internal recycling process allows the planet to maintain a thick, hydrogen-rich atmosphere that would otherwise be stripped away by the intense X-ray radiation from its host star.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
-
That same anti-rich mania is driving Illinois Democrats to push for a 3% surcharge levied against $1 million earners.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Tucked away off Lagos’ Admiralty Way main road, you’d be forgiven for mistaking its polite green exterior for something residential upon viewing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
-
This main compartment is also lined with pockets that are perfect for storing small eye shadow palettes or bronzers.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This spring, total comfort doesn't have to be at odds with looking fashionable.—
Antonio Fuentes,
Glamour,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The pleated crewneck and button-up details add a fashionable twist.—
Jacquelyn Smith,
Parents,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Since many pregnant and postpartum women either struggle with or are recovering from a weak immune system, even germs from sources as innocuous as a bidet can prove irritating.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Those searches continue and appear to be fruitless for him because Jocelyn is still pregnant.—
Marcelena Spencer,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
How the Script Walks a Tonal Tightrope Radcliffe credited playwrights Macmillan and Donahoe with building a structure that lets the performer pivot rapidly between the heavy and the silly.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Unlike, say, Mexican or South Asian cuisines, American food is not particularly bean-heavy.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Big.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
