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
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 main
Sophia Compton , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2025
Facing a harbor filled with sailboats, Avalon is the island's main tourist hub, and where most tourists will stay, from hotels such as the century-old Hotel Atwater to Airbnbs.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 24 June 2025
Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 May 2025
In the early ’70s, there was a 54-inch sewage force main installed from south to north at this river crossing location.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
The 18th Street gang has around 30,000 to 50,000 members, with its main source of income being distribution of cocaine and marijuana.
—Sophia Compton , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2025
Facing a harbor filled with sailboats, Avalon is the island's main tourist hub, and where most tourists will stay, from hotels such as the century-old Hotel Atwater to Airbnbs.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 24 June 2025
Noun
And both are very likely to get used that night since so many salads, savory mains, and sweet desserts get even better with a little fresh citrus zest or sprinkle of Parmesan.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 May 2025
In the early ’70s, there was a 54-inch sewage force main installed from south to north at this river crossing location.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
The second floor has the primary suite, which is large and has a private balcony that overlooks the grounds.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2025
-
Disclosure data shows that more than a dozen lawyers and paralegals with the New York Legal Assistance Group made cash contributions to Mamdani’s campaign ahead of the primary election.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
23 June 2025
-
With subpoena power and broad jurisdiction over virtually every facet of the federal government, the Oversight Committee ranks among Capitol Hill’s mightiest panels.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
In Australia’s arid center, those blotches represent a new inland sea, born from a deluge that has traveled hundreds of miles through the veins of a giant, parched continent.—
Angus Watson,
CNN Money,
25 June 2025
-
Think of them more like distant cousins—raised on different continents, with different personalities, but who occasionally show up to the same party in floral prints and charm everyone in the room.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
At the time, activists were organizing a protest at the property for Sunday, the same day that a core group of private contractors was planning to hold a meeting on site.—
Ana Ceballos,
Miami Herald,
28 June 2025
-
Despite Benfica’s determination to preserve the core of a potentially special team, Fernandez returned to Portugal with Chelsea hot in pursuit.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
Rivera is especially excited by the National Music Theater Conference this year since truly original work is developed there in contrast to the predominant commercial theater trend of basing musicals closely on classic movies or novels.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2025
-
That is clearly what happened in this redistricting in Louisiana where race was the predominant factor used to draw congressional boundaries.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
On May 23, in a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park the 31-year-old two-time All-Star suffered a strained right quadriceps muscle, and has been on the injured list ever since.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
-
It was first approved to ease muscle spasticity for people with multiple sclerosis in Canada in 2005 and has since been approved in more than 20 other countries globally.—
Will Yakowicz,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
The streaming platform revealed that the latest installment will debut as a Viu original worldwide, excluding South Korea and mainland China, following the record-breaking performance of Season 2.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 June 2025
-
While global finance institutions and investors have long been interested in diversifying to China, Beijing’s strict controls on capital outflows and relatively opaque system have discouraged large-scale buying of mainland China assets.—
Lee Ying Shan,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
From 2011 to 2015 McClay worked as a consultant advising firms and trade bodies on not-for-profit strategy and management, and on sustainable sourcing policies and standards.—
Alan McClay,
Sourcing Journal,
26 June 2025
-
While Suzanne Morphew went missing in May 2020, her body wasn't found by investigators in Colorado until September 2023.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share