as in heavyweights
one of high position or importance within a group
many of the heavy hitters in the wine industry were boozing and schmoozing at the expo
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Recent Examples of heavy hitters
Neon acquired the bulk of this year’s global heavy hitters at Cannes and is proving increasingly dominant in this brave new world that Netflix helped usher in.
—
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
Some heavy hitters are pushing back on the 10% cap, though.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
There are some heavy hitters arriving right now, namely Bridgerton season 5, which will soon rocket to #1.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
A number of New York galleries have closed in the past year, including heavy hitters like Sperone Westwater, Venus Over Manhattan, and Clearing, as well as nonprofits like Canal Projects.
—News Desk, Artforum, 28 Jan. 2026
Most of the heavy hitters in the club of artists with over 100 million Spotify followers — names like Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Ed Sheeran, Drake, and the Weeknd — seem allergic to the concept of substantial time off.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
Originally called Juan y Lolita Rancho, the property quickly became a gathering place for local ranchers and riders, Hollywood heavy hitters, and visiting dignitaries.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 Jan. 2026
Baseball’s 2027 Hall of Fame ballot won’t feature many new heavy hitters, but at least one fresh addition has a compelling case for Cooperstown.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
While the competition was fierce, one legendary Charlotte dive bar held its own against heavy hitters from Memphis, Nashville and New Orleans.
—Charlottefive Staff, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2026
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
Some heavy hitters are pushing back on the 10% cap, though.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
There are some heavy hitters arriving right now, namely Bridgerton season 5, which will soon rocket to #1.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
A number of New York galleries have closed in the past year, including heavy hitters like Sperone Westwater, Venus Over Manhattan, and Clearing, as well as nonprofits like Canal Projects.
—News Desk, Artforum, 28 Jan. 2026
Most of the heavy hitters in the club of artists with over 100 million Spotify followers — names like Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Ed Sheeran, Drake, and the Weeknd — seem allergic to the concept of substantial time off.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
Originally called Juan y Lolita Rancho, the property quickly became a gathering place for local ranchers and riders, Hollywood heavy hitters, and visiting dignitaries.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 Jan. 2026
Baseball’s 2027 Hall of Fame ballot won’t feature many new heavy hitters, but at least one fresh addition has a compelling case for Cooperstown.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
While the competition was fierce, one legendary Charlotte dive bar held its own against heavy hitters from Memphis, Nashville and New Orleans.
—Charlottefive Staff, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy hitters
Noun
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Meanwhile, Wells Fargo analysts noted that AI and amateur-generated content often lacks compelling narrative elements found in traditional media, leaving room for Hollywood heavyweights to continue courting audiences in a rapidly evolving landscape.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
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By his fourth season in the NBA, the Suns had established themselves as heavyweights in the West.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Booker stood up to the Boilermakers’ bigs, blocking three shots of his own, playing a season-high 35 minutes three days after being iced out of the rotation against the Buckeyes.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Adding Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder gives the Cavs the deepest back court in the East, and if Harden’s play-making can elevate Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen as pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop bigs, the Cavs could be the team best positioned to spoil New York’s championship run.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Paramount executive also became president of the American Motion Picture Association (precursor to the MPA) in 1925, beating out the likes of Marcus Loew, Lasky, William Fox, Hays, Sam Rothafel, Sam Katz, Carl Laemmle, Joseph Schenck, and other Hollywood heavies.—
Chris Yogerst,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Jan. 2026
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Kier’s American career centered around playing heavies.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
24 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The comedy big guns come out to pay their respects to the groundbreaking genius whose comedy is still radical — Ben Stiller, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Dave Chappelle, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman are just a few.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
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Sunday’s iteration – David Pastrnak-Pavel Zacha-Casey Mittelstadt – finished minus-2 and were outplayed by the Sens’ big guns.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Clean lines, an intriguing silhouette, and bold wheels give it real presence (right down to taillights that nod to the Nissan Z).—
Cyril Soliman,
The Drive,
5 Feb. 2026
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Yet after gesturing toward a promising thriller setup, the film soon begins to spin its wheels — doing little to complicate or tighten the melodrama, while only superficially probing its two principal characters as their romance is inevitably reignited.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Picking up full court, hitting big shots.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
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Now, with a Super Bowl trophy in sight, the offense is more than just taking big shots.—
Derrik Klassen,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Only little boys are called big boys.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Jan. 2026
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There are big boys throwing their weight around, and there are wild skinnies with flying arms and spinning back-kicks, chopping out their emergency version of personal space.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
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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
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Still, expect short overhangs and big wheels, even if not quite the size of these absurdly chrome 24-inchers.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
ArsTechnica,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heavy hitters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy%20hitters. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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