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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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
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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
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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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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The company’s chief financial officer, Jennifer Callahan, was named as interim CEO, and board member Jay Roberts was appointed executive chairman.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
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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That’s because mortgages on primary residences typically have lower delinquency rates than mortgages for other property purchases.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Garcia has tremendous reflexes and is a commanding presence in the box.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
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Barnsdall is home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s first Los Angeles commission, Hollyhock House, with its commanding monolithic forms, geometric ornamentation, and modern take on Mayan Revival architecture.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Marilyn Miller Language Academy is an elementary school with 526 students and a predominant Hispanic population of 69%, according to state data from the 2023-24 school year, the latest available.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Aug. 2025
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May or May Not Support Healthy Weight The predominant type of saturated fat in coconut oil is medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs).—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Every player needs time to adjust to the relentless pace and supreme physicality of these 20 squads of iron men.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
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Even the fundamentalist religious regime of the current supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, encourages academic advancement.—
Yossi Melman,
ProPublica,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
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