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
Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
The sixth closed school, Palm Cove Elementary in Pembroke Pines, may be converted into a branch campus of Sheridan Technical Center, which has its main location in Hollywood.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Dishes range from lobster aguachile or deviled beet eggs to hearty mains like bone marrow short rib pappardelle or shrimp tamales with crispy yuca.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
This clutch is no exception, with a spacious main compartment and two interior card slots for extra organization.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
The sixth closed school, Palm Cove Elementary in Pembroke Pines, may be converted into a branch campus of Sheridan Technical Center, which has its main location in Hollywood.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
Contributing to the rust and deterioration of the village mains is not just their age but the fact that Sleepy Hollow’s soil is mostly soft and partially peaty, Hof said.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Dishes range from lobster aguachile or deviled beet eggs to hearty mains like bone marrow short rib pappardelle or shrimp tamales with crispy yuca.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
Even the more politically active class of nonprofits — 501(c)(4) groups, like the relatively new American Hunters and Anglers — can’t make political activity its primary activity.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Last year, six people ran for Sacramento mayor and no one got more than 30% of the vote during the primary election.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But after economic crises, Orbán came to power by promising prosperity to the rich and poor alike, said Gábor Scheiring, a former Hungarian lawmaker now teaching at Georgetown University in Qatar.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Pelé scored an unforgettable goal that day on a free kick from 35 yards out, struck with so much power that the follow-through lifted him up into the air.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The people arrested in Colorado came from more than 80 countries spread across five continents.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
-
From that pool, 400 finalists traveled to Miami, representing four continents.—
Tracy Yochum,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That included both the SLS rocket's core stage and upper stage separately at different times from Orion, which also deployed its solar arrays to draw power from the sun while reaching a high-Earth orbit about 46,000 miles high.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
According to statements from the lawmakers involved, the core issue is security.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jiefeng Sun, PhD, an assistant professor at ASU, and co-author of the study, noted the muscles could be used across agriculture, industry, healthcare, home tasks and even future space missions.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The most common adverse events were falls and muscle weakness, which overlap with ALS symptoms.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While Iranian missiles cannot yet reach the US mainland, officials say cyberattacks offer a way for Iran to respond asymmetrically by hitting critical US infrastructure in cyberspace.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The leisurely drive through a tunnel of oaks takes you onto the barrier island which, although close to the mainland, feels worlds away.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But like so many of his teammates, his body finally told him his season had to finish early.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Independence voters selected Cody Atkinson and Jackie Dorman in Tuesday’s election to join the seven-seat body, which includes six council members and the mayor.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Warm and slightly muggy conditions will be the predominant theme for the Pirates home opener game this evening.—
Trey Fulbright,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
First, the predominant previous assessment of many pundits that Gulf states’ collective large investments in defense were prestige driven — as opposed to a necessity — has fallen flat on its face.—
Faisal J. Abbas,
semafor.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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