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
Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
The two main reasons are that different people see constellations in different ways and that, as far as astronomy today is concerned, constellations are not considered star pictures but as specific sky areas.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 15 May 2026
Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2026
Its brunch menu features a variety of fun bites, sides and mains, such as Avocado Toast Flights; Wake and Gravy Poutine; and the Trenton Porkroll Benny made with two poached eggs, cracked pepper and melted cheddar over potato pancakes.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
Chasing Liberty won the last race before Saturday’s main event, a 5 1/2-furlong sprint that’s also the day’s last race on the Laurel Park turf.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
The two main reasons are that different people see constellations in different ways and that, as far as astronomy today is concerned, constellations are not considered star pictures but as specific sky areas.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 15 May 2026
Noun
Workers in Mountain View began restoring individual households’ water Saturday night for toilet flushing only, one day after a water line main was contaminated during a construction project, city officials said.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2026
Its brunch menu features a variety of fun bites, sides and mains, such as Avocado Toast Flights; Wake and Gravy Poutine; and the Trenton Porkroll Benny made with two poached eggs, cracked pepper and melted cheddar over potato pancakes.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
Daniella Segura Click the link below for the USA TODAY Network's California June primary voter guide — registration deadline, ballot drop boxes, early voting, and how to track your ballot through Election Day.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Meanwhile, about a kilometre away, workers began clearing debris from the old site of the primary-care center, making room for a permanent replacement.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Data center projects are likely to migrate to parts of Europe with lower power costs, creating winners and losers across the continent, the experts said.—
April Roach,Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
Jeffers flashed his power again, hitting the go-ahead homer Sunday and finishing 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored as the Twins avoided a series sweep.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
This novel of exile and memory chronicles the life of Sufien, a Palestinian man displaced as a child by the Nakba, whose story unfolds across continents and encompasses entanglements with a broad range of characters.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox Amanda Knox, the media fixture who was accused, falsely convicted and later exonerated of murdering her roommate, captivated the public on two continents in the early aughts.—
Karen Idelson,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Social engagement, community involvement, and faith in the structures that organize daily life are among the study’s core predictors of whether an older adult feels their life has meaning—and all of them depend, at least in part, on trust.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
-
Creating pieces that make women feel comfortable and confident through every stage of motherhood has always been at the core of Bumpsuit.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Symptoms can include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain and internal bleeding.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
-
Rebuilding strength in his leg muscles required regular gym exercises with lead rehab physio Richard Clark, including walking on an anti-gravity treadmill, deadlifts, box jumps, split squats with weights, balancing drills and running on a small trampoline.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Processing of critical minerals and rare earth elements is highly concentrated in mainland China.—
Eric Kutcher,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
-
As part of the deal, Bristol will gain the rights to four Hengrui oncology and hematology drug candidates outside of mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.—
Andrew Joseph,
STAT,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Hormones take the child’s body at puberty and conjure from it the adult form, directing the ovaries to mature their eggs or the testicles to produce sperm, each of these gametes containing the potential to create new life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Made from a lightweight, stretchy jersey material, this top naturally drapes gorgeously across the body.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
But a centennial is as good a time as any to fill in what the predominant narrative often leaves out.—
Jasmine Desiree,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
The Caribbean Princess completed an 11-day voyage that had departed on April 28 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, during which passengers and crew suffered from an outbreak of the highly contagious virus, which has predominant symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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