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
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Recent Examples of main
Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
One of its main selling points was being open 24/7.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
Maria Bello replaced Weisz for the third entry, which also featured Luke Ford as the son of the two main characters.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
One of its main selling points was being open 24/7.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
Expect playful starters and elevated mains—black cod with red miso butter, tener wagyu steak frites with green peppercorn sauce, lobster malfadine in a rich tomato sauce, and the super flavorful pork belly sizzling rice.
—Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
This discount shall apply only to the primary residence of the user and shall not apply to separate irrigation meters.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Last season’s Most Improved Player was the primary defender on Dončić, who was held to 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting from the field in 27 minutes.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Satire is brilliant for exposing the folly of humans, especially those in power and those working in bad faith—the hypocrites and the frauds—and can be particularly potent when set in irrational or dystopic times.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The software, called VenApp, was originally launched by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in 2022 as a hybrid application, integrating a messaging service with a helpline for people to report issues with utility services, such as power outages and water disruptions.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
There were billions of dollars being bet on soccer in regulated and unregulated markets alike, on nearly every continent.—
David Hill,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
-
By the year 2050, over 25% of the world’s population is expected to hail from the African continent, including a third of those aged 15 to 24.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The victories are seen by many analysts and political figures as a signal that Democrats have regained momentum after losses in the 2024 election cycle—while some Republican voices warn of growing disconnection from core voters.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The conflict could also arise over other core values, such as how to raise kids or what activities to prioritize in the relationship.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The good news for the coach is that Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski have both returned from their muscle injuries.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Because CoQ10 levels naturally dip with age, and may drop even more with certain medications, many people reach for supplements, which are often marketed for heart health, energy, muscle recovery and even brain protection.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Britain ultimately lost not only because of Washington’s extraordinary tenacity in the war’s several mainland theaters, but also because the king’s men had to stage long sieges, wage desperate naval battles, and take mounting casualties on too many other fronts spread too far apart.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Hsieh was born in Taiwan in 1950, a year after the Kuomintang, until recently China’s ruling party, fled Mao Zedong and the mainland, and set up shop in Taipei.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
When the bodies of the drowned are retrieved, they’re sent to Alexandroupoli to be identified.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The bag can be carried by hand or worn on the shoulder or cross-body, thanks to the detachable handle and perforated cotton shoulder strap.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Crime and safety, particularly in Downtown, were the predominant issues in the race, especially after a string of high-profile incidents this summer and fall.—
Jordan Kellogg,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Nov. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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