arch 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of archnext
1
as in main
coming before all others in importance since the start of her acting career her parents have steadfastly remained her arch supporters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness was so arch as to ask him outright if he was wearing a toupee

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness the arch look on the girl's face betrayed her as the one who had tricked the babysitter into believing that the house was haunted

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

arch

2 of 3

noun

ˈärch How to pronounce arch (audio)
as in curvature
something that curves or is curved the limestone arch is a natural formation that is the product of many years of erosion

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arch

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to bend
to cause to turn away from a straight line the cat arched her back whenever she was stroked

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to curve
to turn away from a straight line or course the path gradually arches off into the woods

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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 arch
Adjective
The Philadelphia Flyers hosted the Boston Bruins in their penultimate tune-up before their season-opener against their arch-rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Throughout, the movie’s deeply affecting realism feels also like symbolism—an existential crisis without any of its arch markers, a world of metaphors without referents, both universal and blank. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
Her elegant primary bedroom boasted a dressing area that was the picture of ’40s-movie-star luxury, complete with plush rugs, dramatic arches, and, of course, plenty of mirrors. — Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026 The house combines several architectural styles — Romanesque arches on the tower, Renaissance window pediments, English-manor chimneys. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
Its initial trajectory after stage separation will put the spacecraft on the same course as previous flights, arching toward a reentry and splashdown in the Indian Ocean. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Sep. 2026 By midday Friday, attention turned to the peninsula, where the hurricane was slated to arch back and hit between Monday and Tuesday. — Eugene Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arch
  1. main
  2. wise
  3. mischievous
  4. curvature
  5. bend
  6. curve
  7. primary
  8. fresh
Adjective
  • Spray bottle on bottom shelf of main prep table lacking label information.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Through the program, this year’s Rising Stars will connect with industry leaders and take part in the festival’s main activities, from panel discussions and media engagements to the red carpet.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Maybe there’s an equilibrium that must be restored on this show, relationship-wise.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Anthropic updates its policies to bar users being cruel to Claude, inflaming a debate about whether the company’s concern for ‘model welfare’ is wise.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • Never hearing your voice or seeing that unmistakably mischievous grin that so many people knew and loved?
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
  • KidSuper founder Colm Dillane has always had a mischievous side.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of mischievous
Noun
  • Individual fibers can detect curvature along a line, but reconstructing an entire surface presents a greater challenge.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Mike recalled that the effects of the disease were noticeable around the time of his 2011 wedding to Zara, and said his father’s physical decline had included curvature of the spine and subsequent medical problems.
    — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of curvature
Verb
  • The team plans to investigate three-dimensional structures that could support more complex movements, including bending, twisting, and shearing.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Dark matter also seems to warp space itself, bending light around objects in a process known as gravitational lensing.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of bend
Verb
  • Animators studied ostriches before feeding their digital movement curves into a six-axis mechanical rig carrying the performers.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The tangle of stubby points stood out like overgrown thumbs, and the down-curving prongs on either side of his head were at least a foot long.
    — Al Dawson, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of curve
Adjective
  • The primary danger of these apps is not the fees associated with using just one, Feltner noted.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The bill was introduced over a year ago, and its primary backer was the late Lindsey Graham, a veteran Republican senator who represented South Carolina.
    — Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Kansas City is also getting a major boost from running back Kenneth Walker III, who signed with the team before the season fresh off winning the Super Bowl MVP award with the Seattle Seahawks.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Readers rave about the flavorful combination of fresh apples, plump, juicy raisins, and cinnamon.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of fresh

Browse Nearby Words

arced
arch
archaic
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Cite this Entry

“Arch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arch. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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