as in major league
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
Relevance
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 bigs
Toronto was shorthanded in the frontcourt without starting center Temi Fagbenle (right shoulder), and the Sparks trio of bigs had a field day with 54 points in the paint.
—
Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2026
The problem came later in the fourth quarter, when the Spurs’ low man defender had to step up to stop Edwards or Julius Randle and the Wolves’ other bigs were able to cut behind the defense to clean everything up on the glass.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 11 May 2026
But the Celtics have done a somewhat better job during the past five years of finding a combination of shooters — Sam Hauser (undrafted) and Payton Pritchard (late first round) and second-round bigs (Neemias Queta and Luka Garza).
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
Three Knicks bigs were already being forced to think instead of just play.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
One of the best bigs in [expletive] basketball history flops.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Defensive struggles against the Joel Embiid/Tyrese Maxey pick-and-roll, which has flummoxed Boston’s bigs since Embiid’s mid-series return.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
The manager was clearly frustrated, talking about how the bigs in the portal weren’t that good.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
Florida is probably one of the few teams with the frontcourt strength to neutralize Maryland bigs Derik Queen and Julian Reese.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2026
The problem came later in the fourth quarter, when the Spurs’ low man defender had to step up to stop Edwards or Julius Randle and the Wolves’ other bigs were able to cut behind the defense to clean everything up on the glass.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 11 May 2026
But the Celtics have done a somewhat better job during the past five years of finding a combination of shooters — Sam Hauser (undrafted) and Payton Pritchard (late first round) and second-round bigs (Neemias Queta and Luka Garza).
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
Three Knicks bigs were already being forced to think instead of just play.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
One of the best bigs in [expletive] basketball history flops.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Defensive struggles against the Joel Embiid/Tyrese Maxey pick-and-roll, which has flummoxed Boston’s bigs since Embiid’s mid-series return.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
The manager was clearly frustrated, talking about how the bigs in the portal weren’t that good.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
Florida is probably one of the few teams with the frontcourt strength to neutralize Maryland bigs Derik Queen and Julian Reese.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bigs
Noun
-
Samaniego, known in the clubhouse as ‘Sammy,’ saw his streak of 15 consecutive scoreless innings to begin his major league career end in the top of the eighth.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
15 May 2026
-
The Cardinals snapped a two-game skid and improved their major league-best road record to 14-7.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
By ordinance, food establishments had until May 1 to renew their operating permit before the suspension was enforced.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2026
-
These are not the kinds of establishments that are at home on busy city thoroughfares or town squares.—
Chelsea Brasted,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The row over allegations that Southampton sent an analyst to spy on Middlesbrough before the teams’ Championship play-off semi-final is kicking off big time.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and food prices are all on the upswing — big time.—
Nick Akerman,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bigs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bigs. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
