major leagues

plural of major league
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for major leagues
Noun
  • Unfortunately, the less said about China’s guards, the better; their main job is to get the ball past half court without turning it over and then feed the bigs.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • That is a remarkable incentive, if not catnip, to send Condon to the bigs.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Burns threw 100 innings at Wake Forest as a junior, then 109 1/3 innings between the minors and big leagues last season.
    — C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • With prices so high, media companies are narrowing their packages, leaving some big leagues like the NBA spread across more networks and streamers.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Major leagues.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/major%20leagues. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!