big gun

noun

Definition of big gunnext
as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group for a high-profile case like this, the law firm uses only its big guns

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 gun Related Stories Chile, as the guest country of honor, will be sending its big guns with Pablo Larrain, Sebastián Lelio and Maite Alberdi leading a contingent. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026 Anthopoulos wants a big gun Obviously, the Braves are shopping to augment their starting rotation. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 18 Feb. 2026 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 There also aren't too many catchers who can put up above-average offensive stats these days, so adding Jeffers into the deal means the Yankees should be prepared to part ways with at least one of their big guns in the pitching pipeline, namely Carlos Lagrange or Elmer Rodríguez. — Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for big gun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big gun
  1. heavyweight
  2. heavy
  3. big
  4. big wheel
  5. big boy
  6. big leaguer
  7. major leaguer
  8. heavy hitter
Noun
  • Northrop Grumman faces stiff competition in the uncrewed fighter market from several defence industry heavyweights.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The New York Rangers remain an Eastern Conference heavyweight relying on their dominant foundation.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of heavyweight
Noun
  • That also suggests the league accepts, or at least tolerates, the flag-heavy officiating that has come to define the early months of the season.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The forecast is for rain and wind off the lake (hit the under heavy) and that will put a premium on running the football and lessen the reliance on Rodgers, who might be feeling the effects of a short week.
    — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of heavy
Noun
  • The belief in Green Bay is the veteran bigs will give Love more time to throw.
    — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Recruiting Cohen is a big to support Black Bear’s investment in a broad slate of independent films.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of big
Noun
  • For all of its strengths, my one wish for the Weber Kettle is better wheel nuts holding the big wheels in place.
    — Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 17 May 2026
  • Denali versions aim for gloss, chrome, big wheels and illuminated badging, while the AT4 gets the tougher costume - 35-inch allou-terrain tires, red recovery hooks, extra ground clearance and a more trail-minded stance flavor.
    — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 6 May 2026
Definition of big wheel
Noun
  • These are the 30-homer big boys, the men who hit in the top four spots of most teams’ lineups.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • But taking on one of Wall Street’s big boys, and then getting squashed for it, ranks right up there.
    — Liz Peek, Washington Post, 4 May 2026
Definition of big boy
Noun
  • Jones has also done two unexpected things — one good and one bad — since becoming a big leaguer.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The first-year big leaguer had 31 homers and 108 RBIs and is the odds-on favorite for National League Rookie of the Year.
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of big leaguer
Noun
  • The last major leaguer to hit a game-tying or go-ahead homer in the seventh or later, after at least 12 pitches, was the Texas Rangers’ Ezequiel Duran, on June 27, 2023.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2026
  • With six strikeouts over 4 2/3 scoreless innings, Rasmus — the 12-year-old daughter of former major leaguer Cory Rasmus — is up to 14 for the tournament, tying Mo’ne Davis (Philadelphia, 2014) for the most strikeouts by a girl in series history.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of major leaguer
Noun
  • But the original Best R&B Album category still carries its own sense of cachet, and this year’s field should include some awfully heavy hitters.
    — Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Slicing $50 off knocks JBL’s latest battery-toting heavy hitter into sweet-spot pricing and gives you serious acoustic punch and endless endurance.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of heavy hitter

Browse Nearby Words

biggish
big gun
big guns
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Cite this Entry

“Big gun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20gun. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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