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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of main
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
Sean Penn co-stars as the film’s main villain, a steely-eyed colonel who looked pretty frigging scary in the footage, while Benicio del Toro is DiCaprio’s gun-toting, gonzo comrade.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025
Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
This April, the discount grocery chain is stocking its shelves with adorable decor, practical porch and patio furniture, and charming Easter tableware—plus snacks, appetizers, mains, and desserts with seasonal flair.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
As previously reported, this year’s main competition jury president will be Juliette Binoche, who will oversee the choosing of the Palme d’Or and other festival awards alongside a jury yet to be announced.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
Sean Penn co-stars as the film’s main villain, a steely-eyed colonel who looked pretty frigging scary in the footage, while Benicio del Toro is DiCaprio’s gun-toting, gonzo comrade.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
San Francisco has more than 1,900 miles of sewer mains and laterals.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
This April, the discount grocery chain is stocking its shelves with adorable decor, practical porch and patio furniture, and charming Easter tableware—plus snacks, appetizers, mains, and desserts with seasonal flair.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
The primary suite is a private retreat with a quiet patio, spacious loft area and large his-and-her walk-in closets — complete with a shoe wall and sitting.—
David Caraccio,
Sacramento Bee,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Since then, some of the key elements have been incorporated into NASA's Design Reference Missions, still the primary set of plans for reaching Mars.—
Space.com Staff,
Space.com,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Everybody else has no choice, really, other than to bring a cruel, narcissistic far-right leader to power.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Because a bat has a thick barrel and rotates when swung, its motion and power depend on the distribution of weight across the entire shaft, not just in one spot.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
From Future’s Short Crewneck Sweater has earned me compliments on all seven continents.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Cairo At some point, The White Lotus should contend with the entire continent of Africa.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
General manager Chris Drury has to make decisions involving his coach, his core and the players in supporting roles.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
-
At the core of Villanueva’s challenge was the argument that how Kansas seats jurors in death penalty cases – a process called death qualification – skews capital trials.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In 2000, Smithfield Foods, the state’s predominant producer of hogs, agreed to pay $1 per hog produced in the state — for a total of up to $2 million — into a fund, with part of that money used to research more environmentally friendly ways of handling hog waste.—
Gavin Off,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Common cold and flu are hitting hardest, with influenza A the predominant strain.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS causes loss of muscle control and there is currently no cure for this disease.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Eating cottage cheese before bed helps stimulate muscle protein synthesis, which can help support a healthy metabolism.—
Veronica Cristino,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
On Monday, stocks in Japan, Hong Kong and mainland China all posted gains.—
Joe Rennison,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost around 3.4% and South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.7%, but Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed more than 1.8% and mainland China’s CSI 300 added roughly 0.5%.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Wine communicators thankfully will continue to share their love of wine, but regional bodies, businesses and wineries or producers can expand their success by connecting to wine lovers in person.—
Rachel King,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Most of the meteoroids that reach Earth are tiny, sand-sized particles, but occasionally, bodies up to a couple of meters in diameter hit.—
Patrick M. Shober,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share