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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of main
Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 3 Feb. 2025
These recipes for mains, sides, and desserts take the guesswork out of entertaining.
—Katie Strasberg Rousso, Southern Living, 2 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
Egg is one of the nine main food allergens, along with milk, fish, wheat, soybeans, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts and sesame.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
In August 2024, ahead of the three-day string of Swift shows in New Orleans, the NFL and other officials conducted a full mains test, which is a full inspection of the stadium’s electrical system while simulating the load of electricity needed for the game.
—Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 3 Feb. 2025
These recipes for mains, sides, and desserts take the guesswork out of entertaining.
—Katie Strasberg Rousso, Southern Living, 2 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
Reclaimed white pine flooring by the Hudson Company stands in handsome contrast to board-and-batten paneling in the primary bathroom, where the tub is by Randolph Morris.—
Elizabeth Fazzare,
Architectural Digest,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Critics, even in his own ranks, saw this as an unforgivable breach of a political quarantine designed to keep the AfD out of power.—
Thomas Escritt,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The 34-year-old displayed his power to deliver blows to Beterbiev while still being able to evade his opponent’s counter attempts.—
Ben Morse,
CNN,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
My travel writing has also been printed in dozens of international publications across six continents.—
Kaitlyn McInnis,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Of course, this gorgeous and thought-provoking series spans the entire continent and miles and miles of Indigenous peoples’ land.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
As downtown continues to navigate the post-pandemic era and stakeholders reimagine what an urban core can and should be, new projects are helping build that future.—
Matthew Glowicki,
The Courier-Journal,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Wine finishes can go quickly overboard, leaving the whiskey with an abundance of big, fruity, tannic notes that overpower its core identity.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The predominant flavors are salt and starch, unattractive in print but deeply comforting on a steaming spoon.—
Bradley Hohulin,
The Indianapolis Star,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Miso is a staple ingredient in Japanese cooking and is the predominant flavor in things like miso soup.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
China is also looking for goodwill as well as the ability to exert political muscle.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Risk factors for any type of thrombosis include severe muscle injuries, fractures and major surgery, the CDC said.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The designer opened his first mainland China store in Shanghai, and his first U.S. store in Los Angeles in 2020, followed by a location in Chengdu, China, in 2022.—
Miles Socha,
WWD,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 1.36% in its last hour of trade while mainland China’s CSI 300 dipped 1.11% to 3,925.65 amid escalating trade tensions with the U.S.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
When someone touches you, a knee-jerk response can be anything from feeling the hair on your body stand to wanting to melt into a puddle of goodness.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Meal timing affects how your body uses energy, and eating late can throw off your body's natural rhythms.9 10.—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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