big-name

adjective

Definition of big-namenext
as in famous
widely known several big-name writers gave readings at the book festival

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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-name But as the company charts its path forward, its plan to court subscribers might not put so much emphasis on big-name moviemakers. — Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 2 Oct. 2026 In recent years, big-name athletes including Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and Ousmane Dembélé all left for competitors. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2026 At the same time, consumers were increasingly willing to look beyond traditional big-name brands in search of authenticity, community and products that fit their lifestyles. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 In actuality, big-name brands like Nordstrom Rack and Madewell are currently selling 100-percent cashmere and cashmere-blend sweaters at reasonable prices. — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026 Brands that lean on two or three big-name influencers for this kind of push are usually optimizing for the wrong variable. — Agung Dwi Sandi, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026 The Steyer campaign paid a mix of big-name influencers — like Carlos Eduardo Espina, who boosted the candidate to his 14 million followers and advised Steyer on Latino issues — and little-known, everyday social media users to boost the campaign. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026 What accelerated that was the front office’s acquisitions of big-name talent, such as pass rusher Jaelan Phillips and inside linebacker Devin Lloyd. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026 Its 1,062-bottle selection ranges from $46 to $19,600, with big-name labels like Napa Valley’s Screaming Eagle alongside plenty of more approachable options. — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big-name
  1. famous
  2. famed
  3. prominent
  4. celebrated
  5. renowned
Adjective
  • The Wat Po Deluxe rooms, which face away from the river, actually give you a very striking, colorful view of tropical plants and the intricate, tiled chedis of this famous temple complex.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The famous colleagues who’ve shown up for the open bar and Louis gift bags don’t add much.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of famous
Adjective
  • Instead of a nanny, Lowen Ashleigh (Johnson) is a up-and-coming writer hired to help famed author Verity Crawford (Hathaway) finish her series of twisted psychological thrillers after a car accident left her unable to complete them on her own.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
  • An annual auction will be held at the famed botanic garden outside Santa Barbara.
    — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of famed
Adjective
  • The Blocks are a prominent Hamburg family best known for their popular national steakhouse chain Block House.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Being able to recruit a prominent voice cast that includes Abbi Jacobson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Bryan Cranston also helped the film travel.
    — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of prominent
Adjective
  • Now the sports outlet is likely to tamp down on costs by parting ways with the celebrated color commentator.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
  • This year, the event will once again feature panels, thought-provoking conversations, roundtables, networking opportunities and activations, along with the celebrated Billboard En Vivo performances.
    — Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of celebrated
Adjective
  • Kevin Kwan created an irresistible world filled with the perfect blend of glitz, humor, and heart, and the talented Adele Lim returns to adapt this renowned tale for a new television audience.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Godrich — renowned for his work with Radiohead, Beck, and Paul McCartney, along with playing in Atoms for Peace with Thom Yorke and Flea — was looking to step back a bit.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of renowned

Browse Nearby Words

big leagues
big-name
bigness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big-name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big-name. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All