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
Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
In Italy, Milan’s main train station is a tourist attraction in its own right.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Molly McCrea, CBS News, 22 May 2026
The last of summer's fresh produce is on display in the cobblers and sides, and tailgating season's beloved barbecue mains and sides headline the show.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
Becky Lynch defends the Women’s Intercontinental Championship against main roster newcomer Sol Ruca.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
In Italy, Milan’s main train station is a tourist attraction in its own right.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Noun
The City of Pacifica has already replaced miles of sewer mains and is also offering $2,000 to anyone who wants to replace their aging laterals.
—Molly McCrea, CBS News, 22 May 2026
The last of summer's fresh produce is on display in the cobblers and sides, and tailgating season's beloved barbecue mains and sides headline the show.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
California’s June 2nd primary election is just around the corner.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
In the primary suite, a vaulted ceiling with a skylight let's in even more Southern California sunshine.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Eco effort The villas are mainly run on solar power (each villa’s roof is slightly sloped to accommodate these solar panels), and the resort is single plastic-free.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
The computing power needs, the competition from Anthropic, the potential for a more business-to-business stream of revenue, the fear that all of the big institutions that own it will want to cash out, makes this one plain fraught.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
But the world’s southernmost continent appears destined for a more tumultuous 21st century, too.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
25 May 2026
-
When manufacturing shifted from Europe and North America to Asia, many African policymakers hoped industrial activity might finally expand on their continent, too.—
W. Gyude Moore,
semafor.com,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
And his age fits perfectly with the Sabres’ core.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
At its core, KYA focuses on making sure there’s a verified bond between an AI agent and a real human user.—
Andrew Sever,
Forbes.com,
28 May 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
-
The ancient ruins of the Roman baths of Antoninus—the largest in the world outside of mainland Italy—are in her hometown.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
China race accelerates The investment comes as Nvidia faces growing regulatory hurdles in selling to the mainland Chinese market.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
-
The only danger was that theriac was thought to heat the body and thus could supposedly render an individual more susceptible to corruption by the plague.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Finding existential pain on the daybeds would not be CBS’s predominant concern that first season.—
Anna Peele,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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