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
Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
While your house's main job is to be a comfortable spot to land after a long day, there are still plenty of decorative touches throughout the home, maybe some inspired by Hallie's California-meets-western style.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025
Paul Ridden
may 30, New Atlas, 30 May 2025
The gas main catches fire and the house explodes, killing Mirren, Johnny and Gat.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
Compton's main argument was that the Panthers would rely solely on Newton's playmaking to win games, lacking the same elite talent the Eagles have surrounded Hurts with.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
While your house's main job is to be a comfortable spot to land after a long day, there are still plenty of decorative touches throughout the home, maybe some inspired by Hallie's California-meets-western style.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025
Noun
The camera array to the rear sports a 50-megapixel main with a 1/1.3-inch imaging sensor and a large F1.95 aperture, a 50-MP ultra-wide and a 64 GB night vision camera.
—Paul Ridden
may 30, New Atlas, 30 May 2025
The gas main catches fire and the house explodes, killing Mirren, Johnny and Gat.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
No, corn sweat is not the primary cause behind the heat wave Cincinnati is experiencing this week.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
24 July 2025
-
Last month’s mayoral primary election showed New Yorkers want their leaders to commit to bold transformative ideas.—
Tony Simone,
New York Daily News,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Matt Mercer will be the Game Master for the first four shows, while Travis Willingham will take on the seat and the power of the GM for the first time in Dallas.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Both political parties have tested the line in trying to harness the power of the pulpit, with many Republicans wooing evangelical leaders while Democrats often try to curry favor with Black churches.—
Tiffany Li,
ABC News,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Recognition on two continents Since 2023, Leyes has participated in reviewing and evaluating creative submissions for several international marketing and design award organizations.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
18 July 2025
-
In fact, the story of Standard Chartered is the tale of two banks spanning centuries and continents.—
Judith Magyar,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
Noun
-
We’d be better served, however, by understanding that at the core, both of these are fueled by and lead to dehumanization.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
-
Yet the core of the program might be what happens before anyone picks up a controller.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Where in the past the predominant parties would at least pay lip service by either demanding higher taxes or lower spending, that appears to be out the window in DC these days.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
24 July 2025
-
Your predominant dosha—whether vata, pitta, or kapha—affects everything from your personality to your sleep tendencies.—
Anjana Rajbhandary,
Outside Online,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
This generates an almost perfect marbling between meat and fat and a soft muscle, which makes for tasty and tender meat.—
Liza B. Zimmerman,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Isolation exercises target one joint at a time and enhance your muscles' appearance.—
Aubrey Bailey,
Verywell Health,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Popular venues for retirees include Ambergris Caye, an island 35 miles northeast of Belize City; Caye Caulker, another island just off the coast; Corozal, a mainland city on the Atlantic Ocean near Mexico; and Placencia, in the south.—
William P. Barrett,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
The island, tucked to the west of mainland Greece, is part of the Ionian Islands, and is most certainly visited, but is far more of an undercover gem than its more popular cousins to the south, like Mykonos and Santorini.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
Appointees can instruct government scientists to comb through the revised body of evidence and highlight every disagreement or limitation—regardless of its relevance or scientific weight.—
David Michaels,
The Atlantic,
20 July 2025
-
Officers found the body covered by a garbage bag off the side of the road.—
Austin Hornbostel,
Nashville Tennessean,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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