Antonyms for mainspring

Grammar : Noun

Spell : meyn-spring

Phonetic Transcription : ˈmeɪnˌsprɪŋ

Definition of mainspring

Origin : 1590s, of watches, clocks, etc., from main (adj.) + spring (n.3). Figurative use from 1690s.

As in keynote/keystone : noun essence, theme
As in motive : noun reason, purpose
As in origin : noun cause, basis
As in root : noun base, core
As in keynote : noun theme
As in bottom : noun base, core
As in cause : noun agent, originator
As in provenience : noun origin
As in rootstock : noun origin
As in cornerstone : noun vital element
As in fountain : noun source, often of liquid

Example sentences :

Perhaps this had originally been the mainspring of the understanding between them.
Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens

How's she goin' to cock that gun, an' the mainspring fifteen pounds resistance?'
Extract from : « Faro Nell and Her Friends » by Alfred Henry Lewis

That need is the mainspring of life, the key to heaven, and the root of all evil.
Extract from : « Olive in Italy » by Moray Dalton

The words were an echo of those which formed the mainspring of the Admiral's life.
Extract from : « Saint Bartholomew's Eve » by G. A. Henty

For that was really the mainspring of her fantastic actions.
Extract from : « The Good Soldier » by Ford Madox Ford

You see, the mainspring of her nature must have been vanity.
Extract from : « The Good Soldier » by Ford Madox Ford

Love must always be the mainspring of life and honour its loftiest ideal.
Extract from : « The Orchard of Tears » by Sax Rohmer

But, losing her brother, the mainspring of her life seemed broken.
Extract from : « Lippincott's Magazine, December 1878 » by Various

The navy was the mainspring of Victoria in more ways than one.
Extract from : « Some Reminiscences of old Victoria » by Edgar Fawcett

Mentally he was wondering if this was the mainspring of conduct in all women.
Extract from : « The Gentle Art of Cooking Wives » by Elizabeth Strong Worthington

Synonyms for mainspring

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019