as in star
the person who has the most important role in a play, movie, or TV show
my cousin is one of the principals in a new sitcom this fall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
our principal reason for coming here today
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chief
highest in rank or authority
the principal researcher in the company's chemical division
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of principal
Stanley S. Litow, New York Daily News, 17 Aug. 2025
Drew University: Reportedly spending endowment principal for operations and selling campus land.
—Scott White, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
IEEE Spectrum, 4 Aug. 2025
Hazlett helped open an international school in Vietnam as principal before returning to Tampa in 2019 to serve as magnet lead at Leto High School.
—Alexa Coultoff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principal
Noun
Appointments of district superintendents and principals were also far too often politically motivated, with the mayor and school chancellor’s power diluted.
—Stanley S. Litow, New York Daily News, 17 Aug. 2025
Drew University: Reportedly spending endowment principal for operations and selling campus land.
—Scott White, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Andy Hoke, an expert in grid-forming technology and principal engineer at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Lab, says Scotland’s additions definitely push the envelope.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 Aug. 2025
Hazlett helped open an international school in Vietnam as principal before returning to Tampa in 2019 to serve as magnet lead at Leto High School.
—Alexa Coultoff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principal
Noun
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Non-football read of the week Independence cross-country star Asher Oates, the defending Class AAA boys state champion, will compete at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Canfranc-Pirineos, Spain, as one of four under-20 representatives for the U.S. in September.—
Tyler Palmateer,
The Tennessean,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Astronomers have observed hundreds of planet-forming disks surrounding young stars for years, many of which display gaps in their rings.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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His main ride is a blue 2005 TJ with a four-inch lift and some other add-ons.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
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The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Lea Anne Welsh, chief operating officer of Korman Communities, which owns AVE, has seen a significant shift over the last five years in their flexible-stay furnished apartments.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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Trump sees himself as the ‘chief law enforcement officer’ Vice President JD Vance denied in a television interview that Bolton was being targeted because of his criticism of Trump.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Timmons was awarded sole custody and primary placement of the children in February 2024.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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The American banking giant already has an existing partnership with McLaren after it was named a primary partner of the team ahead of last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.—
Yara Elshebiny,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Danny Ertel,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Frost is, by reputation, perhaps the foremost poet of rural, non-coastal New England — of birches and apple trees, of forests blanketed in snow, of pastures sliced by ragged stone walls, and of the flinty, self-sufficient kind of temperament that flourishes in those places.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
DeJean had an interception returned for a 38-yard touchdown in the second quarter that gave the Eagles a commanding 17-0 lead over the Chiefs.—
DJ Siddiqi,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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The New York Yankees once had a commanding lead in the American League East.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The original style of most sauces is spicy-sweet with molasses, ketchup, and hickory flavors being the predominant notes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
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Policy shakeups were the predominant reason for the volatility in the first half of 2025.—
John Buckingham,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In many ways, Eze feels a throwback Arsenal player, the kind of footballer blessed with supreme technique and control in tight spaces, rather than the more imposing figures like Declan Rice and Merino that Arteta has recruited.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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Between pork buns and supreme croissants, TikTok can spark a social media flood, but what matters most is what happens after the post.—
Harper Stephanopoulos,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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