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.
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Recent Examples of main
CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Two timely and politically-charged films have won the top prizes at the Berlin Film Festival’s Panorama section, the festival’s main sidebar.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Feb. 2026
Familiar dishes with small boosts tend to shine the most — creamy pastas, roasted proteins, cozy vegetarian mains, chocolate-forward desserts.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
In a letter seen by Reuters, the Ukrainian mission to the EU proposed shipments through Ukraine’s oil transportation system or a maritime route, potentially including the Odesa-Brody pipeline linking Ukraine’s main Black Sea port to the EU.
—CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Two timely and politically-charged films have won the top prizes at the Berlin Film Festival’s Panorama section, the festival’s main sidebar.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
Some are portioned for two; others are larger mains for a family affair; and there are plenty of delicious options for people taking the special occasion to celebrate their one-and-only selves.
—Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Feb. 2026
Familiar dishes with small boosts tend to shine the most — creamy pastas, roasted proteins, cozy vegetarian mains, chocolate-forward desserts.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
Turnout on the second day of early voting in Tarrant County outshined the already impressive number of ballots cast on Day One of the primary races.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Feb. 2026
-
A lot has changed in New Albany in the 174 years since the church opened and its clock tower served as the town’s primary time source.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Stem cell skincare products set out to harness the innate power of stem cells, which are naturally found in skin, to slow signs of aging.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Then came an almighty, barely believable surge spearheaded by Ngumoha, and if the VAR intervention was the slice of good fortune Forest needed, what happened next summed up everything about the power of those towards the top.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Planet Earth has gone through many periods where supercontinents and superoceans were the norm, and many others where multiple continents and multiple separate, independent oceans covered Earth’s surface.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Really, the only All-Star Game among this continent’s four traditional major sports that has any hint of relevance is baseball’s.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Then, about four to five billion years later, our Sun will run out of hydrogen fuel in its core, evolving into a red giant.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
For short-term rentals, check out the Historic District or find more affordable options in the Midtown area or other neighborhoods a little farther out from the city’s core.—
Adam Kuehl,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Until recently, his only comfort was a large orangutan plush toy that some brilliant member of staff gifted him as a tool for muscle building and maternal replacement.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The neurodegenerative disease strikes at muscle control and progressively limits the ability to move, walk, speak and breathe.—
VICTORIA CRAW The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
It is obligated by domestic law to provide Taiwan with sufficient hardware to deter any armed attack from the mainland.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Don your hiking boots and prepare yourself to roam perhaps the most untamed piece of mainland France.—
Rob Crossan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
La Sultana’s signature hammam also includes an extra body mask step after exfoliation, comprising a choice of either Moroccan Argan oil or natural Ghassoul clay sourced from the Atlas mountains.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Doug wouldn’t let his body get him down, although Lord knows his body tried.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But the predominant response has been one of welcome, support and encouragement.—
Will Barker,
TheWeek,
10 Feb. 2026
-
For the past fifty years, the predominant theory held that our capacity to parse complicated syntax rested on specialized, innate faculties.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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