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
Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
Sure, your main priority at brunch is indulging in pancakes and mimosas while catching up with friends.
—Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 6 June 2026
Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 23 May 2026
In 2007, a big steam main by the Chanin Building, across from Grand Central, blew up right as a truck passed over, injuring dozens.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
Once a main port for shipbuilding in the Northeast, the small city is perfect for seafaring aficionados.
—Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
Sure, your main priority at brunch is indulging in pancakes and mimosas while catching up with friends.
—Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 6 June 2026
Noun
These simple, no-cook apps, mains, and dips come together with no heat.
—Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 23 May 2026
In 2007, a big steam main by the Chanin Building, across from Grand Central, blew up right as a truck passed over, injuring dozens.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
California will have to wait before knowing the final outcome of the June 2 gubernatorial primary election as the country’s most populous state continues counting ballots.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
-
Millions of Californians filled out their 2026 primary election ballots over the last several weeks either at home or at the polls, expressing their constitutional right to vote in a free and fair election.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Federal officials this year sent water from the upstream Flaming Gorge Reservoir to Lake Powell to stave off an emergency where water levels in the lower reservoir fall so low that water no longer flows through the dam’s power turbines — the only safe way to release water for extended periods.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
-
That still left a lot of the two-time league champion’s star power exposed to be plucked by the four new teams looking to fill rosters.—
Tom Carothers,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Its combat deployments across multiple continents have cemented its reputation as one of the most effective attack helicopters ever fielded by a European nation.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
8 June 2026
-
Citigroup, Four Seasons, Lyft, media companies, and hospitality assets across four continents.—
Wael Mahdi,
semafor.com,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
While the run business resonated with shoppers, the company’s campaign for its core yoga product didn’t live up to expectations.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
-
Other major areas in the district include Galt, Elk Grove and several capital region neighborhoods including Campus Commons, Oak Park, south Sacramento and the city’s downtown core.—
Mathew Miranda
June 4,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The same goes for people with a condition called gastroparesis, which affects stomach nerves and muscles, and those susceptible to medullary thyroid cancer.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
Weight loss on its own can change muscle, bone and more.—
Bethany Brookshire,
Scientific American,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Goldman Sachs is officially preferring mainland Chinese stocks to those traded in Hong Kong.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
People who sought refuge on the mainland and started walking back across the causeways got trapped and swept out to sea.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The addition gives Golden State another body in the frontcourt along with starting center Kiah Stokes and backup Laeticia Amihere.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
-
The spa Offering an incredible selection of body, skin, and mind therapies, The Spa by Equinox Hotels is the ultimate in pampering.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 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
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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