MAINLAND Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

mainland

noun

ˈmān-ˌland

Definition of mainland

as in continent

one of the great divisions of land on the globe or the main part of such a division the boat back to the mainland leaves once every two days

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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 mainland This continues significant political complications with mainland China. — Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 The sale of their father’s orchard and the ensuing inheritance negotiations have brought sisters Anica and Irena, who live on the Croatian mainland, back to their rustic family home. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026 Svalbard And The High Arctic Svalbard sits deep inside the Arctic Circle, roughly halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 China would like to annex Taiwan or reunify it with the mainland, according to the Chinese narrative. — Rakesh Kumar, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mainland

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mainland

continent

Noun

An extreme heat warning is currently in place for Death Valley, which is the lowest, hottest and driest portion of the North American continent and the United States’ largest national park outside of Alaska.

— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
And Europe — the world’s fastest-warming continent — has been beset by extreme weather that has caused widespread droughts and blazes, marking some of the region’s gravest natural disasters on record.

— Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of continent

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main

mainland

mainlands

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“Mainland.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mainland. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of mainland

noun

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