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
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Currently, schools receive about $15,000 annually per student through the state’s main funding mechanism, the Local Control Funding Formula, with an additional $7,000 coming from the federal government, block grants, lottery money, special education funds and other sources.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
Expect hearty mains, craft beers brewed on site, and a lively, come-as-you-are outdoor biergarten.
—Taryn Shorr-McKee, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
Virgin River‘s Season 7 returning main cast Includes Breckenridge, Henderson, Tim Matheson, Annette O’Toole, Colin Lawrence, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Allen, Sarah Dugdale, Grazzini, Kai Bradbury and Kandyse McClure.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Currently, schools receive about $15,000 annually per student through the state’s main funding mechanism, the Local Control Funding Formula, with an additional $7,000 coming from the federal government, block grants, lottery money, special education funds and other sources.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
For a dinner with five people at an izakaya, including sushi, mains and drinks, the total came to about $100.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
Expect hearty mains, craft beers brewed on site, and a lively, come-as-you-are outdoor biergarten.
—Taryn Shorr-McKee, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
If the recovering addicts’ primary task was to filter out women who wouldn’t qualify to sue—namely, those who didn’t have pelvic mesh or who did but weren’t in pain—Blake’s was to amp up the value of their lawsuits (and attorneys’ fees) by convincing them to have their mesh surgically removed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The other available Heat players who were out of the primary rotation Saturday were Keshad Johnson, Simone Fontecchio, Kasparas Jakucionis and Myron Gardner.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The experience also reinforced Madsen’s belief in the power of social media.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Mophie's power bank has the functionality of a wireless MagSafe connection, with the convenience of a stand.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Before entering the political realm, Collins was a Green Beret who deployed four times to two different continents.—
Shauna Muckle,
Miami Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The nominees in the category hailed from six countries and three continents, and reflected a diverse range of international film traditions.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Visa and MasterCard have responded to growing scrutiny with minor, cosmetic adjustments, but the core problem remains unchanged.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Instead, creators will take on the role of consultants, as brands develop more substantial partnerships with the talent that now make up such a core part of their marketing strategies.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Working against this resistance is what will help build your muscles.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The additional instrumentation accentuates the mood as much as adding muscle.—
Stephen Thomas Erlewine,
Pitchfork,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Cast adrift from mainland Italy, the Mediterranean's largest island has been caught in the crosshairs of civilizations for centuries.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Despite medical aid given by tourists who stopped to help, a 16-year-old girl from the mainland and a 38-year-old man from Rosebery both died at the scene.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While the aforementioned eye cream is $132, this $10 body lotion is reportedly one of her long-time favorites.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Plus, the anti-static fabric is a quiet finish that makes all the difference, preventing the pants from sticking to your body to ensure maximum comfort and remaining wrinkle-free—a luxury for a frequent traveler at under $50.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Still, the predominant image of Levi Strauss heir Lurie is that of an earnest problem solver blending private sector agility with an ability to experiment with public policy.—
Thomas D. Elias,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The predominant symptoms experienced by the ill passengers and crew members were vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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