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
Matt Slater, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Homelessness is certainly a major problem, said Julie Hayden, CEO of the East County Transitional Living Center, the area’s main shelter.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025
Butter Paneer Paneer cubes are cooked in three types of fat here: ghee, butter and cashew butter for a luxurious vegetarian main.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
Greenwood never played for his boyhood club again, despite the charges being dropped in February 2023 when the prosecution’s main witness withdrew her cooperation.
—Matt Slater, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Homelessness is certainly a major problem, said Julie Hayden, CEO of the East County Transitional Living Center, the area’s main shelter.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
Noun
This meat-lovers main even comes together with just 10 minutes of hands-on time.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025
Butter Paneer Paneer cubes are cooked in three types of fat here: ghee, butter and cashew butter for a luxurious vegetarian main.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
In the place of Gantu, the character Jumba instead assumes the primary villain status in the remake.—
Benjamin VanHoose,
People.com,
24 May 2025
-
The primary exception is that every third update does require a reboot, that enables a fuller update that can get to the parts of your PC a hot patch might not reach.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
Fill Power Fill power of the comforter can be a consideration when choosing the right comforter for you and your climate.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
30 May 2025
-
Sandman With the power to control and transform into sand, Sandman (his real name is Flint Marko) is a tough opponent for Spidey and his friends.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Over 3,000 people from five continents attended the presentation.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
Friday’s announcement came around six months after the finale of Swift’s blockbuster Eras tour, which launched in March 2023 and ran for 149 shows across five continents.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
But the core concept has been expanded in smart and surprisingly thrilling ways.—
Blake Simons,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
-
Another trap is building a product that unrelated to your core expertise.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Mercantilism had been the predominant economic model of the prior two centuries, advocating for trade surpluses with all nations.—
Sarah Keohane Williamson,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
-
Fedde was using a steady four-pitch mix, with his sinker being the predominant pitch.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
Magnesium is an essential mineral in many body processes, including blood pressure control, muscle and nerve function, energy production, and blood sugar regulation.—
Ashley Wong,
Health,
27 May 2025
-
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the condition weakens the body’s connective tissue, affecting the skin, muscles and joints.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
Its largest island is just 21 square miles, roughly 600 miles off the mainland coast.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
21 May 2025
-
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 0.45% at the open, while mainland China’s CSI 300 traded flat.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
This expands the air cavity created when their body enters the water.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
-
European football’s governing body positions its tournaments to dominate the end of each season.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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