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
Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
The agency said its main concern is groundwater.
—Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 May 2026
These simple, no-cook apps, mains, and dips come together with no heat.
—Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
Best Restaurants The Straits The Inn at Stonecliffe’s main dining room, The Straits has an elevated menu that takes inspiration from the surrounding Great Lakes area.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
The agency said its main concern is groundwater.
—Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Noun
The menu by Suliman—Sudanese by heritage but raised in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates—features snacks, toasts, and dips, plus a handful of elegantly hearty mains, like a black cod roasted in yogurt and tahini.
—Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 May 2026
These simple, no-cook apps, mains, and dips come together with no heat.
—Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
National Institutes of Health announced that the agency, along with researchers from the University of Florida, would begin clinical trials on mitragynine, the primary psychoactive compound in kratom, to evaluate its potential as a treatment for opioid use disorder.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Furthermore, buildings must now identify backup service providers to ensure repairs can be made even if primary companies are unavailable or out of business.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The low-wing, single-engine turboprop plane was not able to make it to full power, according to officials with the Bates County Emergency Management Agency.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
-
The sweeping changes will reflect Britain’s values, helping to protect children online while pushing back against the power of big technology companies, Starmer told a press conference.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Eisenhower’s national security team subsequently plotted to overthrow no fewer than three different democracies on three different continents over the course of his eight years.—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
-
The residency and citizenship planning advisory firm has published its inaugural guide to the World’s Most Livable Cities for Expats, pitting 35 cities across six continents against one another to assess the best locations for the increasing number of citizens seeking new opportunities.—
Connor Sturges,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Keep a core of year-round basics, then rotate a few season-specific pieces in and out as the weather turns.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
-
The home and core ranges reflected strong loyalty between these areas less than 258 miles apart.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
American resumes flights American Airlines, the predominant carrier at Miami International Airport, resumed its service to Venezuela between Miami and Caracas in late April after a multi-year hiatus.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
28 May 2026
-
During the Indianapolis 500 Sunday, Busch was honored on the 18th lap of the race, 18 being the predominant number on his stock car.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
As this process of disruption progresses, paralysis can develop — including in the muscles responsible for breathing.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
The activity strengthens core muscles, legs and arms.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The Na Pali Coast rises in steep green cliffs, Waimea Canyon cuts deep in rust‑red layers, and the island’s small towns move at a pace that feels decades slower than the mainland.—
David Dickstein,
Oc Register,
17 June 2026
-
The remarks come as Beijing has intensified scrutiny of capital markets this year, including a regulatory crackdown on cross-border stock trading by mainland investors, and reflect growing concern that the AI rally sweeping Chinese equities has created openings for market abuse.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
On Tuesday, Emeryville police announced the body had been identified as 30-year-old Marcus Moore.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
On Monday, the Overland Park Police reported that Lieurance’s body had been discovered in his vehicle the evening before on June 14, in the lake alongside Joe Bald Park in Kimberling City, Missouri, about 18 miles east of Branson.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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