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Showing results for mainspring. Search instead for anspringt.
Definitions

mainspring

[meyn-spring] / ˈmeɪnˌsprɪŋ /
NOUN
bottom
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ground heart
STRONG
basis cause essence essentiality marrow origin pith principle quintessence root soul source stuff substance
WEAK
bottom line virtuality
Antonyms
STRONG
consequence effect end outcome outgrowth result
NOUN
cause
Synonyms
STRONGEST
element explanation matter motivation motive origin principle purpose root source
STRONG
account agency aim antecedent author basis beginning causation consideration creator determinant doer end foundation genesis ground grounds incitement inducement instigation leaven maker object occasion producer spring stimulation
WEAK
prime mover
Antonyms
STRONGEST
discouragement effect result
STRONG
conclusion finish neglect thoughtlessness
WEAK
consequence development fruit issue outcome outgrowth product
NOUN
cornerstone
Synonyms
STRONGEST
essential foundation keystone linchpin mainstay pillar
STRONG
anchor base
WEAK
key element main ingredient
NOUN
fountain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
geyser reservoir stream
STRONG
bubbler cause font fount gush inception inspiration jet lode mine origin play provenance provenience pump root spout spray spring well wellhead wellspring
Antonyms
STRONG
conclusion consequence effect end outcome outgrowth result
NOUN
keynote
Synonyms
STRONG
basis center core cornerstone criterion crux essence gist heart idea kernel keystone linchpin marrow measure motive nub pith principle root source spring standard substance
WEAK
basic idea central idea
Antonyms
STRONG
end exterior exteriority outside periphery result surface
NOUN
keynote/keystone
Synonyms
WEAK
basic idea basis center core cornerstone criterion crux gist heart idea kernel linchpin marrow measure motive nub pith principle root source spring standard substance
NOUN
motive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aim cause consideration emotion feeling idea impulse influence intent intention motivation passion rationale
STRONG
antecedent basis design determinant drive end grounds incentive incitement inducement inspiration object occasion root spring spur stimulus thinking
Antonyms
STRONGEST
neglect thoughtlessness
STRONG
discouragement hindrance
WEAK
deterrent
NOUN
origin
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ancestor ancestry connection element influence motive provenance root source
STRONG
agent antecedent author base causality causation creator derivation determinant egg embryo fountain generator germ impulse inception inducement inspiration nucleus occasion parent parentage principle producer progenitor provenience roots seed spring stock well wellspring
WEAK
horse's mouth
Antonyms
STRONG
conclusion effect end ending result
WEAK
close completion consequence death destiny finale goal outcome outgrowth termination
NOUN
provenience
Synonyms
STRONG
agent ancestor ancestry antecedent author base beginning causality causation connection creator derivation determinant egg element embryo fount fountain fountainhead generator germ impulse inception inducement influence inspiration mother motive nucleus occasion parent parentage principle producer progenitor provenance root roots rootstock seed source spring stock well wellspring
WEAK
horse's mouth
Antonyms
STRONG
conclusion discouragement effect end ending finish hindrance result
NOUN
root
Synonyms
STRONGEST
essence foundation heart origin seed soul source stem stuff
STRONG
basis bedrock beginnings bottom cause center crux derivation essentiality footing fountain fountainhead fundamental germ ground groundwork inception infrastructure marrow motive nub nucleus occasion pith provenance provenience quick quintessence radicle radix reason rhizome seat substance substratum tuber underpinning well
WEAK
rock bottom starting point
Antonyms
STRONGEST
effect end result
STRONG
conclusion consequence exterior exteriority extra outgrowth outside trivia
WEAK
derivation derivative sprout
NOUN
rootstock
Synonyms
STRONG
agent ancestor ancestry antecedent author base beginning causality causation connection creator derivation determinant egg element embryo fount fountain fountainhead generator germ impulse inception inducement influence inspiration mother motive nucleus occasion parent parentage principle producer progenitor provenance provenience root roots seed source spring stock well wellspring
WEAK
horse's mouth
Antonyms
STRONG
conclusion discouragement effect end ending finish hindrance result

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Fountain’s tradition of extending a wide communal embrace, welcoming underrepresented voices and addressing urgent social concerns, is clearly going to be a mainspring of Caldwell’s leadership.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 24, 2025

That’s the mainspring tension of this six-month baseball thing.

From Washington Post • Aug. 14, 2019

That offensive prank is the mainspring of the movie.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 21, 2014

If true, Bicep’s detection of gravitational waves would confirm a theory that the universe began with a violent outward antigravitational swoosh known as inflation, the mainspring of Big Bang theorizing for the last three decades.

From New York Times • Sep. 22, 2014

“It’s how my father taught me. If I don’t wind it consistently, it won’t keep time as well. And if I overwind it, the mainspring might break.”

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros