big cheese

noun

Definition of big cheesenext
as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group thinks he's a big cheese just because he's got a business card

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 cheese But a big cheese board affords the chance for people to try something new. — Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024 So for decades only accredited scholars, the occasional journalist and big cheeses got to see inside. — Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2023 Following a voting process, this international cut of designers aged under 40 will be whittled down to a final few before the winners are selected by a panel of the conglomerate’s key designers and c-suite big cheeses some time in the summer. — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big cheese
  1. heavyweight
  2. heavy
  3. big
  4. big gun
  5. big boy
  6. big wheel
  7. big leaguer
  8. major leaguer
Noun
  • Coming into the fight, the headlines were all about Itauma, the 21-year-old Brit with a chance to make history by becoming the youngest heavyweight to win a world title since Mike Tyson did so at age 20 in 1986.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • How would Leading Change be able to knock heads against the heavyweights of the division at a mile and a quarter distance?
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of heavyweight
Noun
  • The album also features cameos by heavies from Gojira, Lamb of God, Queens of the Stone Age, and Clutch.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The one-room restaurant retains the clean, minimalist aesthetic that Anthony has cultivated at the upscale sushi counter but has more stone incorporated into the space than a traditional, wood-heavy omakase would.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of heavy
Noun
  • The third-year big is in one of the best stretches of her young career and arguably her best with Atlanta.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • That is a remarkable incentive, if not catnip, to send Condon to the bigs.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of big
Noun
  • After England have raised a glass comes a three-match one-day international series this week when India will welcome back big guns including captain Shubman Gill and legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
    — Paul Newman, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • Clinging to a one-run lead and with the top of the order due up, Tracy went to one of his big guns, calling in Whitlock to put out the fire.
    — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 24 May 2026
Definition of big gun
Noun
  • Thibodeau is a big boy, and Dolan is still paying him a lot of money from that $30 million extension signed in the summer of 2024.
    — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 17 June 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
  • 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
  • The move came with expectations that Lombard, the son of a former big leaguer, would be more of a stabilizing presence.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • And yes, their other brother is former big leaguer Colby Rasmus.
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of big leaguer
Noun
  • 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
  • Butch Huskey, who spent nearly a decade with the Mets as a minor leaguer and major leaguer playing four different positions, passed away at the age of 54 on Friday, the team announced.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of major leaguer

Browse Nearby Words

big business
big cheese
big cheeses
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big cheese.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20cheese. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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