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
Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
While the offensive was a strategic defeat for the communists, its main casualty was President Lyndon Johnson.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Amy Verner, Vogue, 7 May 2025
The docking station is powered by a standard figure-of-eight mains cable so there’s no need for an external power supply to clutter your workspace.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
That could create a test of whether Galveston can compete with South Florida’s main ports.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
While the offensive was a strategic defeat for the communists, its main casualty was President Lyndon Johnson.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Noun
One senses Worth delighted in the extravagance proposed to clients and savoir faire made possible by his petites mains (still a term used in haute couture).
—Amy Verner, Vogue, 7 May 2025
The docking station is powered by a standard figure-of-eight mains cable so there’s no need for an external power supply to clutter your workspace.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
The dining room and kitchen lead to an expansive primary suite overlooking the backyard terrace.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
5 June 2025
-
Furthermore, Newmont has been selling non-core assets, generating substantial proceeds to bolster its primary operations and financial standing.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
While the Marines are expected to avoid direct engagement with demonstrators, the symbolism of active-duty troops patrolling the streets of Los Angeles has reignited deep political tensions and legal debates over the limits of federal power.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
11 June 2025
-
Money becomes power, and without clinical oversight, that power enables harmful behaviors.—
John Samuels,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
Across continents, underground bars weren’t just about booze.—
Rebecca Styn,
Rolling Stone,
13 June 2025
-
As someone who spends much of their time working on remote recording and audio production – from building full arrangements solo to collaborating digitally across continents – I’m deeply indebted to Sly Stone’s approach to making music.—
Jose Valentino Ruiz,
The Conversation,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Bitcoin’s Code Remains Decentralized, But The Politics Are Shifting Despite growing political entanglements, Bitcoin’s core code has not changed.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
-
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
-
Comcast has said Versant would have the financial muscle to buy other cable channels, and Global Networks could make a good fit, although there may be regulatory concerns that come from combining such a huge share of the market as well as Versant’s MSNBC with CNN, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.—
Stephen Battaglio,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
-
There are a few different delivery systems—IVs, subcutaneous injections, nasal sprays, and of course, the best NAD+ supplements—to help address everything from loss of muscle mass to brain fog, skin aging, and declining energy stores.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
There are now multiple mainland sanctuaries for the birds, allowing the population to grow and eventually be reintroduced to all of its native habitats, officials said.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
-
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 0.72% while mainland China's CSI 300 lost 0.72%.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
There are articles from the National Library of Medicine that refer to mirror movement as involuntary, simultaneous, identical movements on one side of the body that mirror the voluntary movements from the other side of the body.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2025
-
This is not the first time the governing body has taken action on stewards making media remarks in recent years.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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