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
Joe Guillen, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
Rather than use conventional watch hands, his system featured rotating discs inscribed with the minutes and hours, which were hidden beneath the watch’s main dial.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025
David Phelan, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Kids eat free on Tuesdays, a free bottle of wine accompanies two entrees on Wednesdays and two drinks, two mains and a dessert run customers $85 on date night Thursdays.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Adjective
State of play: Defending American League Cy Young winner Skubal is a main reason for the optimism around Detroit baseball.
—Joe Guillen, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
Rather than use conventional watch hands, his system featured rotating discs inscribed with the minutes and hours, which were hidden beneath the watch’s main dial.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
The rear cameras are a 48-megapixel main and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide—both reduced from the 50-megapixel and 48-megapixel cameras on the Pixel 9.
—David Phelan, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Kids eat free on Tuesdays, a free bottle of wine accompanies two entrees on Wednesdays and two drinks, two mains and a dessert run customers $85 on date night Thursdays.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
Adjective
-
Algeria’s western neighbor and primary rival, Morocco, also received its first batch of Akinci drones in February 2025.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Even when wives are the primary or sole earners, husbands' contributions to housework remain largely unchanged, increasing only slightly when wives are sole earners.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Natural gas has the opportunity to compete with coal, diesel, and other inefficient power sources across the globe, delivering cleaner and cheaper power.—
Steven Dudash,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Nearly half a million homes and businesses also lost power.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
At just some 25 miles thick in the case of continents and 4 miles thick under ocean basins, Earth's crust is, in contrast, far too thin, cool and rigid to support convection processes.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Available on all seven continents, coffee truly is a global beverage.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In any event, the first quarter moon in Cancer encourages you to take action toward your emotional stability while considering your core values.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
No matter how someone is playing Minecraft, the core appeal is in its infinite freedom.—
Issy van der Velde,
Rolling Stone,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The policies announced so far in Trump's current term are on track to push the average tariff to 22.5%, per the Yale Budget Lab. Flashback: From the colonial era through the early 1900s, tariffs were the predominant source of the federal government's revenue.—
Neil Irwin,
Axios,
5 Apr. 2025
-
During oral arguments, Louisiana and its backers sought to argue that there was a difference between considering race when creating the congressional maps versus viewing race as the predominant factor.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
24 Mar. 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
-
The series features films submitted by mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan for consideration for the Academy Awards International Feature Film category.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2025
-
The Hong Kong stock exchange has adjusted its listing rules in the interim, including ones that support companies already listed in mainland China to offer shares in Hong Kong.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Strength training can be done using free weights, machines or simply the resistance of your own body weight.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2025
-
According to a criminal complaint filed in Kanawha County Magistrate Court, the child, who is nonverbal, had scratches and red marks on her body as a result of the incident, WCHS reported.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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