as in bigs
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 leagues
Adopting relegation and promotion might also prepare our major leagues to consider another soccer hallmark that Americans loathe.
—
Maurice O'Sullivan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
The probe has put the NFL’s deal making under a microscope and could be a signal that the other major leagues may face their own inquiries.
—
Sabrina Reed,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Fandom can extend beyond sports, but major leagues represent the largest generators of social connectivity.
—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
11 May 2026
This summer’s transfer window was a record-setting one, with Premier League teams spending more than £3billion — seven of the 20 clubs paid the highest fee in their history — as the division outspent Europe’s other four major leagues combined.
—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Maurice O'Sullivan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
The probe has put the NFL’s deal making under a microscope and could be a signal that the other major leagues may face their own inquiries.
—
Sabrina Reed,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Fandom can extend beyond sports, but major leagues represent the largest generators of social connectivity.
—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
11 May 2026
This summer’s transfer window was a record-setting one, with Premier League teams spending more than £3billion — seven of the 20 clubs paid the highest fee in their history — as the division outspent Europe’s other four major leagues combined.
—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for major leagues
Noun
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The Miami Herald’s three-part NBA Draft preview concludes with a look at the bigs who are expected to be selected in the Heat’s range in the first round (if Miami keeps the pick).
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Almost all the point guards are likely gone at that point, but there are some intriguing bigs on the market in the early 20s.
Noun
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With prices so high, media companies are narrowing their packages, leaving some big leagues like the NBA spread across more networks and streamers.
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For the first time in a summer transfer window, spending on new signings by England’s top 20 clubs outstripped that of those in the other four big leagues — Serie A, La Liga, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 — combined.
Cite this Entry
“Major leagues.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/major%20leagues. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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