Definitions

in the main

ADVERB

chiefly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

especially essentially largely mostly predominantly principally

STRONG

mainly primarily

WEAK

above all in general in the first place on the whole overall usually

Antonyms

WEAK

unimportantly

ADVERB

habitually

Synonyms

STRONGEST

commonly customarily

WEAK

as a rule as is the custom as is usual as usual by and large consistently frequently generally mainly more often than not most often mostly naturally normally now and again now and then occasionally oft

ADVERB

mainly

Synonyms

STRONG

chiefly primarily principally

WEAK

above all essentially first and foremost generally in general largely most of all mostly on the whole overall predominantly substantially to the greatest extent usually

Antonyms

STRONG

secondarily

ADVERB

principally

Synonyms

STRONGEST

basically chiefly first and foremost generally importantly largely mostly notably particularly predominantly

STRONG

primarily

WEAK

above all before anything else cardinally dominantly eminently especially essentially first of all for the most part fundamentally in the first place materially peculiarly preeminently prevailingly prevalently substantially superlatively supremely to a great degree universally vitally

Antonyms

WEAK

secondarily trivially

ADVERB

routinely

Synonyms

STRONGEST

commonly consistently customarily frequently generally habitually normally occasionally often ordinarily regularly sometimes typically

WEAK

as a rule as is the custom as is usual as usual by and large mainly more often than not most often mostly naturally now and again now and then on the whole once and again per usual

Antonyms

STRONGEST

infrequently never rarely seldom sometimes uncommonly

ADVERB

substantially

Synonyms

STRONGEST

considerably essentially extensively heavily largely materially really

WEAK

in essence in fact in reality in substance mainly much

Antonyms

STRONGEST

slightly

WEAK

insignificantly

ADVERB

typically

Synonyms

STRONGEST

commonly consistently customarily frequently generally mostly naturally normally occasionally often ordinarily regularly routinely sometimes

WEAK

as a rule as is the custom as is usual as usual by and large habitually mainly more often than not most often now and again now and then on the whole once and again per usual

Antonyms

STRONGEST

infrequently never rarely seldom sometimes uncommonly

ADVERB

usually

Synonyms

STRONGEST

commonly consistently customarily frequently generally mostly normally occasionally ordinarily regularly routinely sometimes

WEAK

as a rule as is the custom as is usual as usual by and large habitually mainly more often than not most often now and again now and then on the whole once and again

Antonyms

STRONGEST

infrequently never rarely seldom sometimes uncommonly

WEAK

exceptionally unusually

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

High among Calva’s priorities while on the Croisette is meeting one of his cinematic idols, Spanish master Pedro Almodóvar, whose latest film, “Bitter Christmas,” is playing in the main competition.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

There are seven wood-burning fireplaces in the main house, including a kitchen fireplace with a rotisserie and a pizza oven.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026

It’s where Augusta National sold its first gnome before launching the collectible in the main stores in 2018.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

In a statement which played very consciously on existing fears among shipping companies, it said the new routes were necessary "to avoid the presence of various types of anti-ship mines in the main traffic zone".

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

“I’ll leave your stuff at the front desk in the main office,” she answered, turning on the ignition and looking behind her as she started slowly backing out of the parking space.

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio

in the main

Example Sentences

Related Words