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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 arch
Adjective
That means the Bombers own a three-game lead over Boston for the American League’s top Wild Card spot with the arch rivals set to play three more games this weekend. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026 The resulting technology allowed the project to move beyond an industry limit long associated with concrete arch bridges. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
With its more than 2,000 natural stone arches, this park is mostly known for the Windows Section and Delicate Arch. — Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026 In the photo, Close was seen smiling next to Hamilton, 41, as the pair stood under an arch on set. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
The ceiling arches in the back, hiding a tiny alcove where a couple sits tucked close, their legs tangled beneath the table. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026 Celestial events are among the oldest and most profound human experiences of the cosmos, inspiring stories as grand as the sky is wide to explain the marvelous spectacles that arch overhead. — Michael J. Caduto, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 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
  • The fourth-year pro with blazing speed had an impressive training camp and appeared to be one of the team’s main kick returners.
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Its main instrument, known as the Wide Field Instrument (WFI), will take extremely wide images of the universe, capturing ultra-high definition views across broad swaths of the sky.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • And another small change may also have benefited him, both mentally and timing-wise.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • And that’s both take-wise as well as diversity-wise and gender-wise and religion-wise and industry-wise.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • Paramount Great Again hat, but didn’t expect the mischievous executive to turn up in Edinburgh wearing the headgear.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Reports from across the UK show the mischievous character lurking outside windows and startling passersby.
    — Gina Park, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of mischievous
Noun
  • This theory predicted that the light from distant stars appearing very close to the sun's edge should shift due to the curvature of space.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Samsung 32-inch Essential S3 sets a strong benchmark for budget big-screen value by pairing an immersive 1800R curvature with smooth 100-hertz refresh performance.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of curvature
Verb
  • Just as their own fictions bend and weave tales, so too do their own lives and rivalries.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The flatter geometry makes the ruler much more responsive to the bending forces.
    — Pawel Maniewski, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of bend
Verb
  • But plenty of long-range computer models continue to show a future for the system, most as a tropical storm headed west toward the Caribbean, although plenty also show a potential track that curves north of Puerto Rico.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Several other curved, slender bones were soon found nearby, according to pictures shared with the station.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of curve
Adjective
  • In 2025, Kelley told PEOPLE exclusively that his wife was his primary motivation for pursuing sobriety.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Fields and Mooney, who should take Austin’s place as the primary slot receiver, will be the other starters.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Think bright citrus, fresh herbs, seasonal fruit and plenty of bubbles.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Blood Similar to cleaning urine stains, if the blood on your mattress is fresh, then start the process by soaking up excess liquid with a paper towel before cleaning the area.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on arch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arch

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