The phrase "was big" can be expressed in a variety of ways to add more nuance and precision to a statement. Some synonyms for "was big" include "was massive," "was substantial," "was sizable," "was considerable," and "was significant." Each of these alternatives can be used to convey a slightly different shade of meaning. For example, "was massive" suggests something that is incredibly large and impressive, while "was significant" implies that the size of something is important or noteworthy in some way. Choosing the right synonym for "was big" can help add texture and clarity to your writing or speech.