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

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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
Leigh feared the tracks might be too arch, too pretentious, too insincere. — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026 New Balance running shoes pros Known for being supportive, especially in the arch region. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
Cramer detailed the pros and cons under the famous golden arches. — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026 Birnbaum founded the nonprofit TCLF in 1998 after serving fifteen years as the coordinator of the NPS’s Historic Landscaping Initiative, and TCLF is consulting on the arch’s Section 106 review. — News Desk, Artforum, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
In subsequent images, Sweeney arched her back while laying on a basketball on the ground, slung a wooden baseball bat over one shoulder, and covered her body with a silver hockey stick. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 13 Sep. 2026 Bridal wreath spirea develops a dense, arching shape that provides an ideal home for your yard’s pollinators and birds. — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 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
  • Homegrown chip design firm SkyeChip also enjoyed a blockbuster IPO on the Bursa Malaysia stock exchange in May, surging 300% on its main market debut.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • AbdulSalam Mohammed, president of the Abaad Studies & Research Center and an adviser to Yemen’s Information Ministry, told the Washington Examiner that government forces are currently focused on defending against the Houthis along three main axes.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Street-wise, independent travelers wanting to immerse themselves in the city, and live like locals without any of the hassle.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • But the show already had a natural stopping point coming up that would be appropriate, storytelling-wise.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • The pig, always a bit mischievous, would often eat the dog’s food and hang out with the alpacas.
    — Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Mykal-Michelle Harris from Raven’s Home guest stars as Ruby, a mischievous moon imp who tricks Vee.
    — Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of mischievous
Noun
  • 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
  • An ant living deep inside the snow globe can’t easily detect any curvature, and therefore can’t tell the difference between anti-de Sitter and de Sitter space.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of curvature
Verb
  • Her son, Gabe Smith, described his mother as tempered, tender and tough — someone who could bend and not break.
    — Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Centuries later, Art Nouveau revived nature’s patterns once again, bending iron and glass into curling stems and petals.
    — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of bend
Verb
  • That’s apt because the technological stroke that’s allowed Jamestown to revive One Times Square’s interiors is the evolution of digital screens that can slink along curving walls and respond to touch.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s central plaza, which spreads out beneath the building’s curved, hovering form, was always meant to be a generous civic space.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of curve
Adjective
  • The war crimes that were brought to the fore on the stage by Macklemore’s speech are the ones that should be the primary focus.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Simmons made some phenomenal throws all over the field, including to his primary receiver, Cayden Lee.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • But fresh inflation data expected next week will factor into the central bank’s decision.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The stark contrast is that the arguments are new; the drama is fresh.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on arch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arch

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