Synonyms of arch

arch 1 of 3

adjective

1

as in main

coming before all others in importance

since the start of her acting career her parents have steadfastly remained her arch supporters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• main
• highest
• primary
• greatest
• dominant
• predominant
• big
• foremost
• leading
• central
• first
• principal
• supreme
• key
• chief
• cardinal
• overriding
• sovereign
• prior
• capital
• overbearing
• grand
• master
• top
• paramount
• great
• primal
• number one
• premier
• overmastering
• major
• senior
• distinguished
• illustrious
• preeminent
• eminent
• outstanding
• signal
• superior
• numero uno
• high-level
• star
• notable
• stellar
• mighty
• important
• prestigious
• noble
• noteworthy
• influential
• momentous
• incomparable
• famous
• unparalleled
• significant
• famed
• unequaled
• celebrated
• matchless
• unsurpassed
• renowned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• last
• least
• slight
• minor
• trivial
• secondary
• unimportant
• negligible
• subordinate
• insignificant
• inferior
• collateral
• trifling
• inconsequential
• inconsiderable
• subsidiary

2

as in wise

displaying or marked by rude boldness

was so arch as to ask him outright if he was wearing a toupee

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wise
• fresh
• insolent
• brazen
• bold
• impudent
• cheeky
• cocky
• saucy
• sassy
• blunt
• brassy
• defiant
• cocksure
• audacious
• brash
• nervy
• impertinent
• cute
• assertive
• brazen-faced
• bold-faced
• obtrusive
• forward
• bluff
• brassbound
• unblushing
• disrespectful
• unabashed
• smart
• curt
• flip
• facetious
• shameless
• pert
• flippant
• smart-aleck
• mouthy
• lippy
• smart-alecky

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• proper
• timid
• meek
• modest
• humble
• shy
• retiring
• polite
• courteous
• deferential
• genteel
• respectful
• gentle
• mild
• mousy
• demure
• ashamed
• embarrassed
• inconspicuous
• mannerly
• unobtrusive
• abashed
• blushing
• shamefaced

3

as in mischievous

tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness

the arch look on the girl's face betrayed her as the one who had tricked the babysitter into believing that the house was haunted

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mischievous
• wicked
• playful
• impish
• prankish
• roguish
• pixie
• elvish
• puckish
• waggish
• pixieish
• sly
• knavish
• rascally
• devilish
• scampish
• leprechaunish
• tricksy
• espiègle
• naughty
• happy
• antic
• whimsical
• coltish
• cunning
• sportive
• lively
• kittenish
• teasing
• coy
• sportful
• lighthearted
• frolicsome
• energetic
• gay
• sprightly
• frisky
• wily
• crafty
• spirited
• artful
• tricky
• trickish
• troublemaking
• riling
• misbehaving
• pestering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• grave
• stern
• solemn
• grim
• sober
• sedate
• staid

arch

2 of 3

noun

ˈärch 

as in curvature

something that curves or is curved

the limestone arch is a natural formation that is the product of many years of erosion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• curvature
• curve
• angle
• bend
• turn
• bow
• wind
• arc
• crook
• slope
• fold
• inflection
• curl
• corner
• twist
• loop
• coil
• ring
• winding
• spiral
• circle
• warp
• round
• flexure
• swirl
• buckle
• kink
• incline
• reflection
• curlicue
• convolution
• ringlet
• inclination
• hairpin
• turnoff
• incurvature
• dogleg
• decline

arch

3 of 3

verb

1

as in to bend

to cause to turn away from a straight line

the cat arched her back whenever she was stroked

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bend
• curve
• hook
• bow
• curl
• crook
• twist
• arc
• wave
• round
• turn
• swerve
• loop
• slope
• swirl
• deflect
• veer
• coil
• spiral
• reflect
• kink
• weave
• divert
• twine
• wind
• inflect
• incline
• warp
• entwine
• dent
• incurve
• dimple
• incurvate
• meander
• enroll
• decline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straighten
• unbend
• uncurl

2

as in to curve

to turn away from a straight line or course

the path gradually arches off into the woods

Synonyms & Similar Words

• curve
• arc
• bow
• round
• sweep
• fall off
• wheel
• bend
• wind
• loop
• curl
• trend
• crook
• hook
• turn
• circle
• swerve
• spiral
• coil
• curlicue
• twist
• deviate
• veer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straighten

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of arch

Adjective

Throughout, the movie’s deeply affecting realism feels also like symbolism—an existential crisis without any of its arch markers, a world of metaphors without referents, both universal and blank. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026

Leigh feared the tracks might be too arch, too pretentious, too insincere. — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

Noun

An assessment by the National Park Service said the memorial arch could disrupt the historical significance of dozens of nearby sites. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Such delineation would also jibe with Paramount — and its iconic arches — being steeped in movie history and a symbol of the golden era of cinema as the only major studio still located in Hollywood. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

Verb

In subsequent images, Sweeney arched her back while laying on a basketball on the ground, slung a wooden baseball bat over one shoulder, and covered her body with a silver hockey stick. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 13 Sep. 2026

Bridal wreath spirea develops a dense, arching shape that provides an ideal home for your yard’s pollinators and birds. — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Sep. 2026

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