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
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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
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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
Kara Nesvig, Parents, 11 Apr. 2026 Ten minutes later, the capsule's drogue parachutes deployed as planned, followed in short succession by its three big main chutes. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026 Think of this confetti rice as halfway between salad, side, and substantial vegetarian main. —Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
Fantasy Baby Names Inspired by Movies Bastian The young main character of the Neverending Story series, Bastian is a lonely young boy who finds purpose and potential in a magical book. —Kara Nesvig, Parents, 11 Apr. 2026 Ten minutes later, the capsule's drogue parachutes deployed as planned, followed in short succession by its three big main chutes. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
This beautiful main only takes 10 minutes out of your day. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026 Think of this confetti rice as halfway between salad, side, and substantial vegetarian main. —Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
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Persian is the primary language of Iran.— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
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Seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms are spread across the house, including the primary bedroom suite.— Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Nineteen even-strength saves, five power-play saves, no muss, no fuss.— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
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The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Ramoley generates tremendous power from the right side of the plate, as demonstrated by his three-run homer.— Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The company is set to develop a fictional universe inspired by the negotiator’s vast experience in mediating high-pressure situations such as nuclear standoffs, labor disputes and peace talks across four continents.— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
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This building is likely one of the oldest surviving structures on the entire continent.— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That’s a shot at Ivar Stenberg, Gavin McKenna or another top prospect to join the young Hawks core.— Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
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One of the core underappreciated aspects of board governance is transparency, especially after a COVID bribery scandal last year sent former board member Andrew Do to prison.— The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Those with the condition experience stiff and swollen neck muscles, according to the Cleveland Clinic.— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
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The results, published in the journal Radiology, showed that the more ultraprocessed foods people consumed, the higher the amount of fat stored inside their thigh muscles.— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The deal is Ascentium’s most recent in more than a dozen acquisitions, plugging a gap in the company’s mainland China coverage while deepening its footprint in hot Southeast Asian growth markets.— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
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The government has built a new capital on the mainland, named Ciudad de la Paz, or City of Peace, but the transfer of government buildings hasn’t been completed yet.— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The egrets flew more slowly, their long bodies looking dark gray against the sunset as the sky turned to a pale purple.— Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2026
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Made with 61 percent cotton, 35 percent Tencel and 4 percent elastmultiester, the fabrics give garments a soft drape away from the body while maintaining the stretch, structure and smoothing properties.— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Royse said that according to the AccuWeather long range forecast, there will be a brief warmup starting next week, but chilly air masses will be more predominant for the second half of the month, contrary to the first two weeks of April.— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
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In mixed turf, mow to the height for the predominant species in your lawn.— Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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