big unknown
noun
chiefly US
: the important thing that everyone would like to know
The big unknown is how investors will react.
Examples of big unknown in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The big unknown is whether the virus will change to cause more serious illness in humans, says Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.
—
Bykai Kupferschmidt, science.org, 7 Nov. 2024
One big unknown is President-elect Trump's push to expel undocumented immigrants.
—Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Biden’s exit from stage left and Kamala Harris’ subsequent loss yielded a big unknown for where that party goes.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
If this does come to pass, the other big unknown is how much Alonso will eventually sign for.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Another big unknown is the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2024
Advertisement The big unknown for Musk is Trump’s crowd-pleasing call for 60% tariffs on Chinese imports, and his MAGA pledge that would halt Biden administration subsidies for electric vehicles.
—Peter Green, Quartz, 25 Nov. 2024
Pisces Rising In your experience, Scorpio Season naturally lends itself to engaging with life’s mysteries and approaching the world as a big unknown to be interrogated.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2024
The big unknown is whether Epic’s dominance will persist after its exacting, visionary leader is no longer at the helm.
—Katie Jennings, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
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.
Bykai Kupferschmidt, science.org, 7 Nov. 2024
One big unknown is President-elect Trump's push to expel undocumented immigrants.
—Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Biden’s exit from stage left and Kamala Harris’ subsequent loss yielded a big unknown for where that party goes.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
If this does come to pass, the other big unknown is how much Alonso will eventually sign for.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Another big unknown is the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2024
Advertisement The big unknown for Musk is Trump’s crowd-pleasing call for 60% tariffs on Chinese imports, and his MAGA pledge that would halt Biden administration subsidies for electric vehicles.
—Peter Green, Quartz, 25 Nov. 2024
Pisces Rising In your experience, Scorpio Season naturally lends itself to engaging with life’s mysteries and approaching the world as a big unknown to be interrogated.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2024
The big unknown is whether Epic’s dominance will persist after its exacting, visionary leader is no longer at the helm.
—Katie Jennings, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Big unknown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20unknown. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share