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
David Szondy, New Atlas, 18 May 2025
Its main mast is 160 feet high; the Brooklyn Bridge is only 127 feet above the water.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
Add the veggie side dish to your main by adding sliced mushrooms, chopped fresh spinach or kale, or leftover roasted vegetables.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
Unfortunately, only Canberra can track Voyager's part of the sky, and its main 230-ft (70-m) DSS-43 antenna was scheduled to undergo a major refit beginning in May 2025 and continuing until February 2026.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 18 May 2025
Its main mast is 160 feet high; the Brooklyn Bridge is only 127 feet above the water.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
Noun
During the week of March 17, Thomas said North Shore Gas plans to replace their two-inch main between Western and Oakwood.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
Add the veggie side dish to your main by adding sliced mushrooms, chopped fresh spinach or kale, or leftover roasted vegetables.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
It's led by a 200-megapixel primary camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide, with a 12-megapixel selfie camera.—
Julian Chokkattu,
Wired News,
13 May 2025
-
Arriving first responders conducted a primary assessment of the scene and learned that two people were trapped in a Toyota Corolla, officials said.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
The way their dynamic is structured, Colin fears that one wrong move could bring things to an end, which merely reinforces Ray’s power over him.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
18 May 2025
-
At the time of writing, some 50,000 were still without power in Missouri, according to PowerOutage.us, a service that tracks disruptions.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
President Trump, Vice President Vance React to First American Pope Announcement World leaders across continents extended messages of hope, unity and spiritual solidarity Thursday after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
-
The cardinals come from 71 countries across five continents, according to Vatican News, and 108 of the 135 cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
Following the faith’s core beliefs in nonviolence and justice, Quakers have demonstrated for the abolition of slavery, in favor of the suffrage movement, against both World Wars, and the U.S. roles in the wars in Vietnam and Afghanistan, said Ross Brubeck, 38, one of the Quaker march organizers.—
Luis Andres Henao,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2025
-
The Ultimate 2025 Horoscope Predictions for Each Zodiac Sign, According to a Celebrity Astrologer Aries (March 20-April 19) The week ahead is bringing a lot of attention to your core relationships, Aries.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
The soda business grew in popularity in a predominant Mormon area, according to the New York Times, as the church prohibits drinks that are hot caffeinated like tea and coffee.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
-
While Putin’s predominant image in the outside world is that of a ruthless strongman, for domestic audiences the Kremlin has tried to soften this image.—
Peter Rutland,
The Conversation,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
These symptoms last at least three months after the initial infection and range from muscle aches and joint pain to brain fog and fatigue.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 May 2025
-
Heart failure weakens the heart muscle, reducing its ability to pump enough blood and oxygen to the brain, Johanna Contreras, MD, director of heart failure at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, told Health. Conditions that occur alongside heart issues.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
Health,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Food and water had to be brought in from the mainland.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
7 May 2025
-
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 0.37% while mainland China’s CSI 300 added 0.56% to close at 3,852.90.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
Technically, what Teal replicates is an in-office HPV test—but because a large body of research has found that HPV testing is generally more effective at preventing cervical cancer than Pap smears, the screening recommendations for most people already emphasize the former.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
9 May 2025
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Lori Leonard's body was discovered in a metal toolbox found in the Lake Champlain Canal.—
Chris Young Ritzen,
CBS News,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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