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
Matt Slater, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Homelessness is certainly a major problem, said Julie Hayden, CEO of the East County Transitional Living Center, the area’s main shelter.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025
Butter Paneer Paneer cubes are cooked in three types of fat here: ghee, butter and cashew butter for a luxurious vegetarian main.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
Greenwood never played for his boyhood club again, despite the charges being dropped in February 2023 when the prosecution’s main witness withdrew her cooperation.
—Matt Slater, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Homelessness is certainly a major problem, said Julie Hayden, CEO of the East County Transitional Living Center, the area’s main shelter.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
Noun
This meat-lovers main even comes together with just 10 minutes of hands-on time.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025
Butter Paneer Paneer cubes are cooked in three types of fat here: ghee, butter and cashew butter for a luxurious vegetarian main.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
The gluteus medius muscle, a smaller buttock muscle located underneath the gluteus maximus, is the primary muscle supporting the pelvis. 4.—
Aubrey Bailey,
Verywell Health,
5 June 2025
-
Joe Schoen and Daboll already are giving a ton of key players days and weeks off this spring, limiting the football that some of their primary contributors are playing.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
While others chase fleeting trends or seek instant results, those who understand and leverage the power of patience may be able to secure more consistent, sustainable and rewarding investments.—
Rodolfo Delgado,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
Sandman With the power to control and transform into sand, Sandman (his real name is Flint Marko) is a tough opponent for Spidey and his friends.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Friday’s announcement came around six months after the finale of Swift’s blockbuster Eras tour, which launched in March 2023 and ran for 149 shows across five continents.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
-
The 149-show Eras Tour visited five continents and sold more than $2 billion in tickets, and millions more in merchandise.—
Nicolas Vega,
CNBC,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Sub tropical storms have generally cold cores, and are often associated with upper level low pressure areas, with the highest winds farther away from the center, unlike a tropical storm where the most intense winds are found at the center.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
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Mayor Lauren McLean said the new hotels are helping link the core of downtown to other parts of downtown along Grove Street.—
Nick Rosenberger,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
But the predominant theme of the debate was Cuomo facing attacks from the eight other candidates, who laced into him on everything from public safety and education to affordable housing production and the ex-governor’s integrity.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
-
Apparently natural selection among the Uru, Aymara and Quechua peoples of the Bolivian Altiplano took DNA sequences that are present but rare in other populations around the world and increased their frequency to the point where the normally uncommon sequences are predominant in these groups.—
Kermit Pattison,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
Magnesium is an essential mineral in many body processes, including blood pressure control, muscle and nerve function, energy production, and blood sugar regulation.—
Ashley Wong,
Health,
27 May 2025
-
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the condition weakens the body’s connective tissue, affecting the skin, muscles and joints.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
New World has been struggling to turn around its business amid an ongoing property downturn in Hong Kong and mainland China, prompted by a mix of challenges including the pandemic and interest rate hikes.—
Zinnia Lee,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
New World’s financial troubles emerge amid ongoing property sector struggles in both Hong Kong and mainland China.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
One aspect of this is a narrow view of what women’s health encompasses – and a historic lack of paying attention to the unique ways that women’s bodies differ from men’s.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
My style is almost childlike, but the scale of it is pretty true — like the proportions of a head and a body.—
Mona Chalabi,
IndieWire,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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