ARCH Synonyms: 265 Similar and Opposite Words

arch 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of arch

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

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

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

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

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

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

straighten

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

Many speakers were especially concerned about the impact of an arch towering over nearby Arlington National Cemetery, and criticized the lack of input from veterans and gold star families in the process. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026 Hathaway is arch and expressive, doing subtle things with her eyes and voice that no one else can. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Noun

Grandma’s old sewing machine is in here, plus a treadmill, a wedding arch, years of tax returns in boxes, and, hanging down from the ceiling, a sheet of sheer red fabric from back when Maribeth ran her low-rent puppet theatre, Hands Within. — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 When whales dive, their backs form a curved arch above the water. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

Terracotta tiles are at his feet; behind him is a gnarled pine tree, arching toward the sea. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for arch

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arch

Adjective

The kingdom partially resumed operations at its main airport on Sunday despite damage from earlier attacks, even as the Houthis threatened further strikes.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
The project will also improve sewer main capacity by upsizing a parallel line.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of main

Verb

Not just a rock star but an entire galaxy unto himself, Bowie became a singular force in glam rock, electronic and ambient sounds, dance pop, art rock, and gender-bending fashion.

— Eleni N. Gage, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
Bright blue stars dot the spiral's side, with one particularly luminous star taking the spotlight with four diffraction spikes — created by light bending through the inner workings of Hubble's camera — emanating from its center.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of bend

Verb

Where the Duo has curved edges and a distinct D-like appearance, the Z Fold 8 is strictly rectangular with sharp edges all around.

— Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026
Animators studied ostriches before feeding their digital movement curves into a six-axis mechanical rig carrying the performers.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of curve

Adjective

The Heat used Larsson, Portis, Hardaway and Nikola Jovic as its four primary reserves for the third straight game to start the season.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
One thing most agree on is that the diminishment of competitive seats leads to greater polarization because legislators are only beholden to primary voters.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of primary

Adjective

Memories are fresh of the nationwide protests sparked by economic pressures that led to a deadly crackdown weeks before the war.

— Amir-Hussein Radjy, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Most of the candy is in spotless Plexiglas bins, hundreds of them, and throughout the shop are fresh confections such as ice cream, sodas, a chocolate fountain.

— Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of fresh

Browse Nearby Words

arced

arch

archaic

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Arch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arch. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of arch

adjective

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on arch

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes