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
Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
The right main landing gear of the plane made contact with the runway at 2:12:43.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 20 Mar. 2025
Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 19 Feb. 2025
It’s designed to detect leaks in municipal water systems early and often, making a fix easier and cheaper than having to assemble a team in the middle of the night to tackle a busted main.
—John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
According to the report, the right main landing gear contacted the runway first, as a result of the plane being slightly banked at the time of landing, which is also not unusual, especially in gusty conditions.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
The right main landing gear of the plane made contact with the runway at 2:12:43.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
The break took place along a 54-inch steel water transmission main built in the 1930s, the Great Lakes Water Authority said.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 19 Feb. 2025
It’s designed to detect leaks in municipal water systems early and often, making a fix easier and cheaper than having to assemble a team in the middle of the night to tackle a busted main.
—John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
State law also indicates the special primary election must be between 120 to 130 days after the vacancy occurs and that the special general election must be between 70 and 80 days after the special primary.—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Testers consider performance across four primary categories: efficacy, safety (including ease of use), research and the science behind specific claims, as well as product value.—
Siena Gagliano,
Allure,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This dispatchable energy from batteries stabilizes the U.S. power supply.—
Ian Dexter Palmer,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Lastly, love it or hate it, but the return to office is in full swing, meaning WFH loungewear is taking a backseat to power suits, both on your feed and in real life.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Essence,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The Western Hemisphere encompasses a vast region stretching from Cape Horn at the southern end of the South American continent through to the Caribbean, Central America, the United States, Canada and Greenland.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
-
While some frogs call the great outdoors on six continents (excluding Antarctica) home, others are domesticated, kept as pets.—
Tracy Scott Forson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Seeing the body disturbs Mickey to her core, and sets her on a path to find Kacey.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for 0.3% increases on both headline and core, with respective annual rates of 2.9% and 3.2%, meaning that all of the rates were 0.1 percentage point less than expected.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Spirit is headquartered in Dania Beach and remains one of the predominant carriers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.—
David Lyons,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2025
-
One of the predominant worries of our age is the desire to live authentically.—
David Katz,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Protein is important for muscle health and helps build bones, cartilage, skin, and blood.—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Bromelain’s anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects are often used to treat sports injuries, bruises, contractures, strains and muscle pulls.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Zhuang, a senior who studied art, was originally from mainland China and was living in California on a student visa.—
Laura Barcella,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Originally from mainland China, the partners are now naturalized Singapore citizens.—
Jonathan Burgos,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
More injuries to their current lineup left the Mavs with seven healthy bodies during the game.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Mar. 2025
-
One of its key predictions was that massive bodies like stars can literally bend light that passes near them.—
Eric Mack,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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