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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of arch
Erica Sloan, SELF, 20 June 2025
The fixture which everyone’s eyes will turn to is those against arch rivals Brighton & Hove Albion.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 18 June 2025
David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
Guests entered through the concrete arches, voids, and interlock spaces of the sprawling complex, which was built over four decades by the Catalan sculptor of the same name, and headed up one of the Escher-like staircases to view the jewels.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 19 June 2025
Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2025
Keep your back straight and avoid arching your back.
—Claudia Herwig, Glamour, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for arch
Adjective
Bopping around in shoes with little if any arch support (like flats or flip-flops) can worsen plantar fasciitis by asking that band of tissue to work overtime, Dr. DeLott says.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 20 June 2025
The fixture which everyone’s eyes will turn to is those against arch rivals Brighton & Hove Albion.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Noun
The property off Highway 1 resembles your own private headlands park with unparalleled panoramic views of the sea arches and the coastline.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
Guests entered through the concrete arches, voids, and interlock spaces of the sprawling complex, which was built over four decades by the Catalan sculptor of the same name, and headed up one of the Escher-like staircases to view the jewels.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 19 June 2025
Verb
Throughout June, the core of Milky Way Galaxy will appear as a bright band arching across the night sky.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2025
Keep your back straight and avoid arching your back.
—Claudia Herwig, Glamour, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for arch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arch
Adjective
-
The circular balcony, which looks down on the museum’s main lobby, is festooned with ribbons from the ceremony that took place when the Long Wharf moved from its longtime home on the loading dock to offices in the Audubon arts district.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
-
The project’s data goes through June 10, and only includes administrative immigration arrests made by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, or ERO, the agency’s main arm that enforces immigration policy.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
In hindsight that decision may not have been the wisest.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
5 July 2025
-
Demonstrating a talent for working in fluent french peppered with a british accent, the actor delivers one of his most indelible acting turns as the sly, wry, and wise business mogul-turned- butler who finds new purpose in life working on the other side of the fence.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
Wearing a now-iconic red tie and less cartoonish design with more angular and mischievous features, DKC’s version of Kong has been a staple for over 30 years.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
10 July 2025
-
Her intelligence is that vital and exacting, her wit that mischievous, her concerns – feminism, environmentalism, dystopian societies – that urgently relevant.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
The way this phase accumulates over a looping path is called the Berry curvature, referencing the curved shape that the arrow is secretly traversing.—
Shalma Wegsman,
Quanta Magazine,
6 June 2025
-
When ordinary matter or light rides this curvature, its motion is impacted.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
Washing Charlie in the upstairs bathtub left the house covered in dirt and required his humans to bend over, straining their backs.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 June 2025
-
Plant it in full sun and near a natural wind barrier, such as a fence, building, or larger plantings, to keep the plants from bending over.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Instead of straight paths, employ a curving pathway to reveal one part of the garden at a time.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 July 2025
-
Enormous live oaks shade many of the curving pathways, and sycamores, replanted during the 1990s renovation of the Capitol Complex, line the formal processional walk to the south of the baroque domed structure.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
The full menu features ten alcoholic and ten no-low ABV serves, each carefully modernized using advanced techniques, refined ingredients, and a fresh approach to balance and presentation.—
Amber Love Bond,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
-
Hamilton suggested that Ferrari should start fresh to develop the new car after a disappointing home race at Silverstone.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Tiernan McKinney often works on guitar necks, while Kennedy himself has input along the way on design, wood type, color and the wicked inlays found from top to bottom of each piece.—
Otto Rabe,
The Enquirer,
9 July 2025
-
Zayn fought back valiantly, but was cut off in midair with a wicked Spear from Breakker.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arch. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share