as in big(s)
the highest level of a field of endeavor
when you've landed a tenure-track position at that university, you're playing in the major leagues
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Recent Examples of major league
Detroit’s short-term rental growth was not dissimilar to that in Grand Rapids – even though no major league franchises play there and no major stadium had been built there.
—
Gidon Jakar, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026
The Rockies franchise promoted former major league catcher Robinson Cancel to Hartford after managing Class-A Spokane the past three seasons.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026
This term is a slight exception to the rule — the eventual champions this season will probably finish on 85 points — but the title race is more competitive in the Premier League than in Europe’s other major leagues.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The park, which is the permanent home of the Giants AAA-affiliate River Cats club, could remain in its major league role for two to three more years.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for major league
Gidon Jakar, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026
The Rockies franchise promoted former major league catcher Robinson Cancel to Hartford after managing Class-A Spokane the past three seasons.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026
This term is a slight exception to the rule — the eventual champions this season will probably finish on 85 points — but the title race is more competitive in the Premier League than in Europe’s other major leagues.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The park, which is the permanent home of the Giants AAA-affiliate River Cats club, could remain in its major league role for two to three more years.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for major league
Recent Examples of Synonyms for major league
big time
Noun
-
Earmarks are back on Capitol Hill — big time.—
Jamie Dupree,
AJC.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
And someone who tries out and makes it, who is a transgender girl, will bump someone from the starting lineup, from playing time, from the team, from the all-league [honors], and those things matter to people, big time.—
Gwen Faulkenberry,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Major league.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/major%20league. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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