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
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
The softside spinner features a spacious main compartment and multiple exterior pockets for easy in-flight access, plus an expandable frame that adds up to two extra inches of precious packing space.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2025
When the water level dropped as a result, two village water mains and two sanitary force mains were uncovered.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
The first trailer for Netflix’s Bad Influencer introduces the two main characters, the bags, the money, the criminal company, and much more.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
The softside spinner features a spacious main compartment and multiple exterior pockets for easy in-flight access, plus an expandable frame that adds up to two extra inches of precious packing space.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
The gas main catches fire and the house explodes, killing Mirren, Johnny and Gat.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2025
When the water level dropped as a result, two village water mains and two sanitary force mains were uncovered.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
Pathways, promises and potential are always the primary motivations.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Five years later Augusta had a stroke, with Ed acting as primary caretaker.—
JR Radcliffe,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Hanke relates that it was riddled with loopholes that handed the Banco Central de la República Argentina discretionary monetary powers.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
-
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This year’s ceremony in Rio de Janeiro brings the Earthshot Prize to South America for the first time — the fifth continent to host the awards in just five years.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Traveled to every continent short of Africa, Antarctica and South America.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In all of these places, the broad availability of talent—whether as founders, knowledge workers, or highly skilled blue-collar workers—is viewed as one core element of the corporate ecosystem’s success.—
Peter Vanham,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The new quad-core processor inside is likely doing a lot of heavy lifting there.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The predominant narrative among many springs scientists, advocates and government officials is that rising nitrate levels in springs over the past few decades fuels the growth of excess algae.—
Christopher F. Meindl,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Facebook emerged as the predominant tool—particularly in Egypt and Tunisia—helping organizers broadcast calls to march, circulate videos and connect people across the country to turn out and oust their leaders.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His muscles will be worn to the fiber, asked to consistently chase and brake and crowd some of the league’s best perimeter players.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
And this inflatable water mat makes tummy time a blast, while helping little ones develop better balance and stronger core muscles.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Others show newer storefronts adorned with simplified Chinese characters, not traditional ones, as arrivals from mainland China come to significantly outnumber those from Taiwan or Hong Kong, the source of earlier waves of migration to the US.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Here on the mainland, Super Bowl LX is set for February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA, and will be broadcast on NBC.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And for all the miles on his body, Ekblad is still just 29 years old and has more help than ever with Jones there to log big minutes and Forsling continuing to emerge as one of the league’s best shutdown D in a system that plays to his strengths.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Some old stories, like bodies in Wisconsin graves, really don’t need to be dug up.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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