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
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Recent Examples of main
Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2026
The study primarily focuses on whether the Air Force, which presides over the training of all military work dogs, provided a high standard of care at its main facility in Texas and 12 bases in other parts of the country.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2026
While choice is strictly limited—two starters, two mains, cheese or dessert—the produce is exceptional, from juicy scallops to John Dory cooked with tangy sorrel and crunchy samphire, sea asparagus, accompanied by a seasonal pumpkin purée.
—John Brunton, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
In the summer, private cars aren’t allowed past Mile 15 (aka the Savage River checkpoint) on Denali Park Road, the park's main thoroughfare.
—Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2026
The study primarily focuses on whether the Air Force, which presides over the training of all military work dogs, provided a high standard of care at its main facility in Texas and 12 bases in other parts of the country.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
For mains, there is 24-hour coffee braised short rib served with mashed potatoes and also a double smashed wagyu burger.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2026
While choice is strictly limited—two starters, two mains, cheese or dessert—the produce is exceptional, from juicy scallops to John Dory cooked with tangy sorrel and crunchy samphire, sea asparagus, accompanied by a seasonal pumpkin purée.
—John Brunton, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
Political logic Netanyahu has for decades framed Iran as Israel’s primary existential threat, shaping Israel’s security policy, diplomatic efforts and public discourse around it.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Friday is the deadline to file to appear on the primary election ballot.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On Sunday, Iran continued attacks on neighbors, while Israel struck fuel depots in Tehran and threatened the Islamic Republic’s power grid.—
Bloomberg News,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Quiet reflection gains power as cerebral Mercury in your 12th House of Solitude trines jovial Jupiter in your comforting 4th house, guiding you through releasing past aches.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Formula 1 is now the most popular annual sporting series on the planet, pulling a global audience of 750 million—with its fastest-growing contingent being women ages 16 to 24, who fly across continents to watch the action trackside.—
Lale Arikoglu,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The late 1990s buildout of fiber-optic networks, in which companies spent billions to pull dark fiber across continents and under oceans, saw borrowers like WorldCom, Global Crossing, and others go under.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The project recently received air turbine units, generators, electric motors, molten salt storage tanks, and other core equipment from Shanghai Electric.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the administrators may focus on administering the obesity benefits to employees, dealing with core functions such as enrollment, eligibility, claims and more.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The projectile took a path through tissue and muscle but avoided vital organs and left the back of his neck, Gross testified earlier in the trial, which began last week.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 6,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The issue was surrounding his leg amputation surgery, a procedure that involves stretching the muscles and suturing them to provide the bone with padding.—
Jacob Louraine,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Kharg island terminal, located about 15 miles off the coast of mainland Iran, has long been the country's primary oil export facility, handling around 90% of its crude exports before tankers travel through the Strait of Hormuz.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Filmart heavily promotes its super-connector status – positioning itself as a bridge between the West and East Asian markets including mainland China, Southeast Asia and the rest of Asia.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The last of three men linked to the May 2023 slaying of a Little Rock man whose body was found in some bushes has been sentenced to eight years in prison.—
John Lynch,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart did not play Tuesday, with Marchand out long-term and possibly for the rest of the season with the possibility of surgery for a lower-body injury being determined this week.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And what’s so predominant is the characters are no bigger than the story.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Dark green is the predominant color in this manicure even though a black shade serves as the base.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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