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
Marni Lafleur, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
The Acer performed closely with the Dell, surpassing the ThinkBook in PCMark's main test, while the Asus predictably finished first.
—PCMAG, 10 Feb. 2025
Macie Stump, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2024
But please be forewarned that the pasta dish you’ve just been handed is but one in a long line of courses: It will be followed by heartier mains.
—Emily Saladino, Bon Appétit, 24 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for main 
Adjective
Research shows that there are three main reasons why migrants die trying to reach the U.S. from Mexico.
—Marni Lafleur, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
The Acer performed closely with the Dell, surpassing the ThinkBook in PCMark's main test, while the Asus predictably finished first.
—PCMAG, 10 Feb. 2025
Noun
From hearty mains like ham and chicken to comforting sides like potatoes, soups, and sweet potato casserole, these are our favorite slow-cooker recipes for Christmas.
01 of 24
Slow-Cooker Ham
This slow-cooker ham will help save on oven space.
—Macie Stump, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2024
But please be forewarned that the pasta dish you’ve just been handed is but one in a long line of courses: It will be followed by heartier mains.
—Emily Saladino, Bon Appétit, 24 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
In the past two years, 55% to 60% of clients have been men who cited sports wagering as their primary type of gambling, Whelan said.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
-
The motion also would have quashed the grand jury selected to investigate the Jan. 16 Democratic primary runoff for the 21st District senatorial seat.—
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,
arkansasonline.com,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
For all of Trump’s abuses of power in his first term, culminating in his attempt to subvert the 2020 election, his administration never attempted to openly defy a court order despite losing, by one analysis, over three quarters of the federal cases it was involved in.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
-
With only around 60,000 Gaelic-language speakers left in the world, The Island is doing wonders for representation and at the same time constitutes so much more — an entertaining, twisty crime thriller featuring a dose of star power in the form of Industry breakout Sagar Radia.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Unlike Antarctica, which is a continent, the Arctic is all ice.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Feb. 2025
-
More generally, the term was a form of American exceptionalism that came to mean the inevitable east-to-west occupation of the North American continent, often expressed in messianic terms.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
7 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
-
Most people have characteristics of two different body types rather than just one predominant body type.3 Dietary Guidelines Ectomorphs can maintain their overall health by following a high-protein diet with balanced amounts of carbohydrates and fats.—
Laura Schober,
Health,
6 Feb. 2025
-
After decades of being Lebanon’s predominant political and military organization, the group is reeling.—
Hanin Ghaddar,
Foreign Affairs,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
At that point, his focus shifted to turning the remaining body fat into muscle.—
Jack Beresford,
Newsweek,
9 Feb. 2025
-
Symptoms of listeria typically look like signs of food poisoning, such as vomiting, muscle aches and fever.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The long-term ecological consequences of these human interventions may have set the scene for an explosion in mainland penguin populations.—
Joshua Rapp Learn,
Smithsonian Magazine,
13 Feb. 2025
-
The island would give the U.S. a staging area for a potential invasion of the Japan mainland.—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
With the body parts still missing, Echevarria’s daughter can’t help but imagine that her father is still out there, alive and well.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
14 Feb. 2025
-
That strange underwhelming click as the high voltage went through his body.—
Wash Westmoreland,
The Hollywood Reporter,
14 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near main
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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