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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of main
Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025
But its main goal is to bring viewers into the CNN fold who are interested in the latest news on trending topics, and not necessarily on time slots or talent.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
The Charlie hides a 75-lb (34-kg) lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery in a compartment beneath its oven, which can charge from the 120V mains socket ubiquitous in the US.
—Ian Baker
august 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
In warmer months, locals and visitors head to the North Beach at Deland Park—the city’s main waterfront area—to swim, paddleboard, and play volleyball along wide, sandy shores.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025
But its main goal is to bring viewers into the CNN fold who are interested in the latest news on trending topics, and not necessarily on time slots or talent.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
Get the recipe > Make the most of late summer’s generous bounty with this hearty vegetarian main, which comes together quickly for a weeknight meal.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
The Charlie hides a 75-lb (34-kg) lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery in a compartment beneath its oven, which can charge from the 120V mains socket ubiquitous in the US.
—Ian Baker
august 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
Two guest bedrooms can be found downstairs, while four more upstairs bedrooms include a secluded primary retreat that comes with a fireplace, a dressing room, and dual baths.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
-
This corner room offered the perfect view to keep watch over Main Street and the primary north-south international highway.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Despite the star power in the stands, the Dodgers lost 6-1, meaning the Blue Jays tied the series.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Both outcomes might also blunt the risk of further great-power escalation in this deeply chaotic geopolitical time.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Europe is one of the world’s most popular continents to visit, and for good reason.—
Asia London Palomba,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
-
A little over a century later, reaching the world’s only uninhabited continent is a decidedly more glamorous affair.—
Brad Japhe,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Sweater Vest Sweater vests are the perfect middle layer when the seasons transition to warm up your core without overheating your arms under jackets.—
Staff Author,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Season 34's core panel of judges all agreed that Earle performed exceptionally.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite the concerns around African democracy, Afrobarometer’s annual African Insights survey shows voting in elections remains the predominant form of political and civic engagement, with nearly three-quarters of respondents voting in their country’s elections last year.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
That confident tight-wire act, with its time shifts and various mini-characterizations, was a useful precedence for her here as the predominant presence in this three-performer, intermissionless piece.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Regular exercise trains your muscles to pull oxygen from your blood, which reduces heart rate, inflammation and stress.—
Gina Park,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
-
While the former aids in the reduction of puffiness and dark circles in the under-eye area based on hot and cold contrast therapy, the latter comes with three attachments for relieving muscle pain, tension, and soreness through rapid pulsations.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
While short-lived, the uprising had far-reaching consequences across England and mainland Europe.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
30 Oct. 2025
-
There was also an improvement in mainland China, which had previously dragged down the company’s performance.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The clips allegedly showed Hanson urinating on food, spitting into containers, stomping on food items and rubbing them on his body before they were served to customers, per court documents and reporting by KCTV5, KMBC 9 and The Kansas City Star.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The agency in charge of making maps and looking at Earth is now preparing to do the same for extraterrestrial bodies.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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