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
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Recent Examples of principal
Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
After earning his degree, Kirkpatrick was due to become a principal within Fort Worth ISD.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 June 2025
Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 June 2025
In the first quarter, Meta’s capital expenditures and principal payments on finance leases approached $14 billion.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for principal
Noun
Mercedes' Austrian team principal and CEO Toto Wolff looks on during a practice session for the 2025 Miami Formula One Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens, Florida, on May 2, 2025.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
After earning his degree, Kirkpatrick was due to become a principal within Fort Worth ISD.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 June 2025
Adjective
Kirkpatrick began teaching at Clinton Avenue Elementary School, later moving into the vice principal role at I.M. Terrell High School in 1945.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 June 2025
In the first quarter, Meta’s capital expenditures and principal payments on finance leases approached $14 billion.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for principal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principal
Noun
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Additionally, in 2024, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and also received his first nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, though he was not inducted.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
17 June 2025
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Many people, expecting parents included, turn to the stars for guidance, wisdom, insight, and support, and baby naming help, too!—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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In the women's division, UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey had a landmark run, holding the Raw Women's Championship and co-headlining the first all-female WrestleMania main event.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
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The 18th Street gang has around 30,000 to 50,000 members, with its main source of income being distribution of cocaine and marijuana.—
Sophia Compton , Bill Melugin,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Clauson-Kaas is chief consultant for the Copenhagen waterworks utility HOFOR, which is overseeing the construction of the tunnel.—
Rob Schmitz,
NPR,
13 June 2025
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Brown joined the pro-Cuomo PAC, Fix the City, as its chief operating officer upon its launch in late February, weeks after resigning from Adams’ administration.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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The major-party candidates in the race for governor are already set; neither faced a serious primary challenge.—
Margaret Barthel,
NPR,
17 June 2025
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They will be required to start recording the boxes on the first day absentee ballots are issued for an election or primary and continue recording until the town clerk retrieves the last ballots.—
Gabby DeBenedictis,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Sindhu Bhaskar,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
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Lindell was one of the foremost conspiracy theorists in pushing claims that the election was stolen from Donald Trump.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Despite its commanding presence, the Navigator doesn’t drive like a tank.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
17 June 2025
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The 1794 doesn’t have what was expected, a commanding road presence.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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The June 10 vote by the nation’s largest Protestant denomination represents a doubling down on issues of gender and sexuality as the predominant group of evangelical Christians signals the SBC’s hopes of replicating the successful campaign to overturn Roe v. Wade.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
12 June 2025
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The predominant toxin associated with FHB infections in the United States is deoxynivalenol (DON), which is also known as vomitoxin because consumption can cause vomiting.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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The barrage led Israel’s defense minister to overtly threaten Iran’s supreme leader. Israel, meanwhile, struck Iran’s heavy water reactor, part of the country’s nuclear program, which its government insists is meant for peaceful purposes only.—
Elena Becatoros,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
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Now, with Israel taking out some of his closest aides and senior security figures, as well as significantly weakening its militant Islamic allies across the region, the supreme leader is beginning to look increasingly isolated.—
Ruth Marks Eglash,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
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