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

Eisenberg, who played arch villain Lex Luther opposite Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck, was allocated a worst supporting actor Razzie for his part in the 2016 superhero flick. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026

In a storm that had nothing to do with them, many have bought into the pantomime of it all, relishing their role as the arch villains of English soccer. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Noun

Grandma’s old sewing machine is in here, plus a treadmill, a wedding arch, years of tax returns in boxes, and, hanging down from the ceiling, a sheet of sheer red fabric from back when Maribeth ran her low-rent puppet theatre, Hands Within. — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

When whales dive, their backs form a curved arch above the water. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

In the meantime, what is Lasarenko planning to do with the replica Paramount arch? — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Terracotta tiles are at his feet; behind him is a gnarled pine tree, arching toward the sea. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026

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