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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of big gun
First, John Beecher iced the puck from the neutral zone and the Stars were able to get some of their big guns on the ice.
—
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 Nov. 2024
There’s tons of in-your-face werewolf action, big guns and lots of blood and guts in this throwback flick that would feel right at home in a drive-in double feature.
—William Earl, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Los Angeles scored against Colorado’s top line, but the Avs’ big guns got that one back at 3:40 of the period.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 13 Nov. 2024
Just as Rantanen noted, the Avs’ big guns will look to shoot more at times when the team is slumping.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for big gun 
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 Nov. 2024
There’s tons of in-your-face werewolf action, big guns and lots of blood and guts in this throwback flick that would feel right at home in a drive-in double feature.
—William Earl, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Los Angeles scored against Colorado’s top line, but the Avs’ big guns got that one back at 3:40 of the period.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 13 Nov. 2024
Just as Rantanen noted, the Avs’ big guns will look to shoot more at times when the team is slumping.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for big gun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big gun
Noun
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Late one night, the heavies from the local don throw a few bricks through the window of an honest shopkeeper.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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The 6 foot 5 inch Lister made an indelible impression as Deebo, the bicycle-riding neighborhood heavy who terrorizes Ice Cube and Chris Tucker in the comedy Friday (1995).—
Danny Horn,
EW.com,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Minnesota countered with only two bigs in Dawson Garcia (6-11) and Parker Fox (6-8).—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
9 Feb. 2025
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In its broadest scope, the Wizards’ decision over the summer to sign Valančiūnas provided some instant offense, some defensive rebounding and some cover for Sarr to avoid getting shoved around by some of the league’s most physical bigs.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
The Athletic,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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One of the teachers at Abbott, Jacob (played by Chris Perfetti), paid homage to Sajak with his costume, which even included a big wheel.—
Kayla Caldwell,
Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2024
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The original penny-farthing bicycle had a big wheel up front with a smaller one out at the back, and was also known as a high-wheel cycle.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Based on its size, this big boy was near the end of its lifespan and the winter weather was taking its toll.—
Stan Tekiela,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
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Unfortunately, very big boy Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees took the crown this season with 58 home runs.—
Bryan Walsh,
Vox,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Gouda originates in the Netherlands and is a relatively niche cheese compared with heavy hitters like cheddar in the US or paneer in India, The Verge points out.—
Emily Forlini,
PCMAG,
7 Feb. 2025
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Zoom in: Some of the closures last year took out heavy hitters in the industry.—
Kale Williams,
Axios,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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But a big cheese board affords the chance for people to try something new.—
Betty Hallock,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Dec. 2024
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Simply Cheetos White Cheddar Puffs These light-colored curls have big cheese flavor, a satisfying crunch and a tart kick that is dangerously delicious.—
Jolene Thym,
The Mercury News,
4 June 2024
Noun
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In the aftermath of the 2018 Woolsey Fire, lions struggled to hunt, faced starvation and transversed wider and wider swaths of habitat, frequently risking road crossings.—
Anton Sorokin,
Smithsonian Magazine,
5 Feb. 2025
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On Saturday, three multicolored and gold-adorned dancing lions swirled, extending good wishes to the crowd while moving in step with the rhythmic beat of drums and cymbals.—
Autumn Alvarez,
The Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Big gun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20gun. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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