as in bigs
one of high position or importance within a group
when she became the network's White House correspondent, she knew that she was now playing with the big boys
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Recent Examples of big boys
Then the Bruins big boys decided to make a statement after that.
—
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Will the Niners spend like big boys and sign Hendrickson, Linderbaum and JFM?
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
Only little boys are called big boys.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2026
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
One of the biggest reasons the Padres’ slugging numbers are down is that those big boys have not produced the power that was expected out of them.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Will the Niners spend like big boys and sign Hendrickson, Linderbaum and JFM?
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
Only little boys are called big boys.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2026
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
One of the biggest reasons the Padres’ slugging numbers are down is that those big boys have not produced the power that was expected out of them.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big boys
Noun
-
The Sky don’t want to limit their bigs to the low block and plan to stretch the floor as much as possible, which appeals to a smaller forward like Jackson.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The Jayhawks have hosted visits from a few different bigs in recent weeks.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Executives at Oracle have already signed several deals with Silicon Valley heavyweights to bring their business closer to that objective, Ives added.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Ne-Yo, who has been collaborating with Nashville heavyweights like Luke Laird, Rhett Akins, and Charles Kelley of Lady A, has been slowly releasing some of the music he’s recorded in Nashville.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
None have wheels or are actually mobile like an RV or trailer.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
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Bruins coach Marco Sturm made some pretty sizable line changes to start the game, plugging in rookie center Minten between David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie to try and coax more production out of his big guns.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
However, on season 2 of Twin Peaks, the actress played Miss Jones, the right-hand woman for one of the series' heavies, Thomas Eckhardt (the late David Warner).—
Drew Mackie,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Specifically, Alioto sought to reimagine the magazine as a many-pronged vehicle for promising tastes—like those of regular contributors and critical heavies, Grace Byron and Greta Rainbow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Breakouts are getting a full-on rebrand thanks to these Gen Z heavy hitters.—
Brittany Talarico,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Set along the cold, deep waters of Islay’s village of Port Ellen, the hotel is well placed for long blustery walks along the Three Distilleries Pathway, which takes you to the island’s heavy hitters of Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and, of course, Ardbeg.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While McCollum made the big shots late, Kuminga’s role was massive.—
Darnell Mayberry,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Guys stepping up in big moments, making big shots.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
“Big boys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20boys. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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