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
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Recent Examples of main
Kara Nesvig, Parents, 11 Apr. 2026
Ten minutes later, the capsule's drogue parachutes deployed as planned, followed in short succession by its three big main chutes.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2026
Contributing to the rust and deterioration of the village mains is not just their age but the fact that Sleepy Hollow’s soil is mostly soft and partially peaty, Hof said.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
Fantasy Baby Names Inspired by Movies Bastian The young main character of the Neverending Story series, Bastian is a lonely young boy who finds purpose and potential in a magical book.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 11 Apr. 2026
Ten minutes later, the capsule's drogue parachutes deployed as planned, followed in short succession by its three big main chutes.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
Toss in a warm bacon vinaigrette and top with hunks of goat cheese for a rich, filling main that’s not short on flavor.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2026
Contributing to the rust and deterioration of the village mains is not just their age but the fact that Sleepy Hollow’s soil is mostly soft and partially peaty, Hof said.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
The Wolves expect to challenge for Porter County Conference and postseason titles, and Powell is prepared to be a primary contributor.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Industry leaders said some migrant workers employed by the textile companies were struggling to secure liquified petroleum gas, the primary cooking fuel.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The power of an orator who can, in this way, fuse feeling and doctrine is immense.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The American president's agenda has striking parallels with the way the Hungarian leader used the levers of government to tilt the media, judiciary and electoral system to keep his party in power for 16 years.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Older than Earth's continents, older than life itself, wandering through space for billions of years — an agent of chaos here for a fleeting visit.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
13 Apr. 2026
-
In her final months, the woman who had sung on stages across five continents lived quietly in Irbil, in the home of her elder brother’s family.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That series ended with a ruptured Achilles for superstar forward Jayson Tatum, and a battering ram taken to the extremities of a Celtics core that had claimed an NBA title just a season prior.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
If the core isn’t doing the work, the body will compensate in other ways.—
Ronnie Koenig,
SELF,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That feeling can present in many ways — rumination, a knot in your throat or your chest, an unease in your stomach, the tensing of muscles.—
Goth Shakira
Contributing,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The mucus coughed into his hands, sometimes blood, both the reality of his lung muscles straining so much.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While Iranian missiles cannot yet reach the US mainland, officials say cyberattacks offer a way for Iran to respond asymmetrically by hitting critical US infrastructure in cyberspace.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The leisurely drive through a tunnel of oaks takes you onto the barrier island which, although close to the mainland, feels worlds away.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But like so many of his teammates, his body finally told him his season had to finish early.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Independence voters selected Cody Atkinson and Jackie Dorman in Tuesday’s election to join the seven-seat body, which includes six council members and the mayor.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Warm and slightly muggy conditions will be the predominant theme for the Pirates home opener game this evening.—
Trey Fulbright,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
First, the predominant previous assessment of many pundits that Gulf states’ collective large investments in defense were prestige driven — as opposed to a necessity — has fallen flat on its face.—
Faisal J. Abbas,
semafor.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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