as in primary
coming before all others in importance
this is the main point of the study—everything else is secondary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in power
muscular strength
all their might and main could not budge the stalled car
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in continent
one of the great divisions of land on the globe or the main part of such a division
islanders periodically traveled back to the main for supplies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in core
the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts
the main of the tree is still healthy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of main
Evan Thies,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2026
The co-main event saw Shara Magomedov win by unanimous decision.
—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
Linda Girardi,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2026
In the beginning, there was bread The book’s centerpiece chapters on starters, mains and sweets are bookended on one side by a treatise on how to make and store breadcrumbs of various sizes, with an under-duress sub-section about how to buy breadcrumbs.
—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
But those less main-stream views were largely not front-and-center.
—
Evan Thies,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2026
The co-main event saw Shara Magomedov win by unanimous decision.
—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
Noun
The village also approved an agreement which states the DuPage Water Commission will construct, own and maintain the transmission mains necessary to deliver water to Oswego, Yorkville and Montgomery.
—
Linda Girardi,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2026
In the beginning, there was bread The book’s centerpiece chapters on starters, mains and sweets are bookended on one side by a treatise on how to make and store breadcrumbs of various sizes, with an under-duress sub-section about how to buy breadcrumbs.
—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
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Roughly two-thirds of American households own their primary residence, according to the Federal Survey of Consumer Finances from 2022, the most recent edition.
-
The capacity of the primary viewing area at the Washington Monument is set at about 150,000, according to Secret Service Special Agent in Charge David Yamen, who runs the agency's dignitary protective division.
Noun
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How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
-
He was raised in Tiberias and Eilat, outside Israel’s traditional centers of power and influence.
Noun
-
Extreme heat can quickly become dangerous and even deadly, especially on a continent where very few people have air conditioning.
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The advisors entrusted with guiding substantial fortunes must combine technical expertise, strategic foresight and an ability to serve clients whose financial lives often span businesses, generations and continents.
Noun
-
Reflective, multilayer shields will block the most heat, and ones with a thicker foam core will work much better than thin ones.
-
Sperm production works best at a temperature slightly cooler than core body temperature.
Adjective
-
American resumes flights American Airlines, the predominant carrier at Miami International Airport, resumed its service to Venezuela between Miami and Caracas in late April after a multi-year hiatus.
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During the Indianapolis 500 Sunday, Busch was honored on the 18th lap of the race, 18 being the predominant number on his stock car.
Noun
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Why barre keeps showing up on class schedules Barre is the low-impact entry in this lineup, blending ballet, pilates and yoga into high-repetition, small-range movements that tone muscles without battering the joints.
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Advertisement Doperak and Lund say that pickle juice is best used to treat muscle cramps, rather than prevent them.
Noun
-
Washington is obligated by a domestic law to provide the island with sufficient hardware to fend off any invasion from the mainland.
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The drugs were thought to have been brought over by dinghy from Anzio on the mainland, police said.
Noun
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Barrett's body was found in a ditch along Interstate 95 in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 24, 1980.
-
Coupled with high humidity, conditions in some places are approaching the limits of human survivability — the point at which our bodies simply cannot adapt.
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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