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
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Recent Examples of principal
Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Davies executive produced the series with Shondaland principals Rhimes and Betsy Beers.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2025
ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025
The principal bedroom suite comes with its own dressing room, bathroom, and study—separated just enough to imagine lyrics or verses being scribbled in quiet moments.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for principal
Noun
The company will resubmit a different proposal after solidifying details about what type of projects will be built on the land outside Greenfield, principal Chris King said.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Davies executive produced the series with Shondaland principals Rhimes and Betsy Beers.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2025
Adjective
Under that clause, only principal officers, appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, or inferior officers under those principal officers, can set such policies.
—ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025
The principal bedroom suite comes with its own dressing room, bathroom, and study—separated just enough to imagine lyrics or verses being scribbled in quiet moments.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for principal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principal
Noun
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Previous Lumiere honorees include some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Jane Fonda, Francis Ford Coppola, Quentin Tarantino, and Tim Burton, alongside European stars, such as Isabelle Huppert and Catherine Deneuve.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
11 July 2025
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Unlike with Batman, which has lured major stars, the directors and producers of Superman movies have generally cast young, strapping unknowns, a certain blankness as the baseline for both Kal-El and Clark Kent.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
The project’s data goes through June 10, and only includes administrative immigration arrests made by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, or ERO, the agency’s main arm that enforces immigration policy.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
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Meander along the Big Bend Scenic Byway and stop along main streets and pull-offs that look interesting.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
Stephanie Martz, the NRF’s chief administrative officer and general counsel, said the lawsuit infringes on retailers’ rights.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
7 July 2025
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Suno, one of the most prominent AI music generation companies in the industry, has hired former Atlantic Records general manager/executive vice president Paul Sinclair as chief music officer, the company announced on Monday.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
For starters: The Heat returned to what essentially is their primary summer lineup, with Ware back after being held out of Tuesday’s finale of the California Classic.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
11 July 2025
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Now Vest has 15 saves and has blossomed into the Tigers’ primary ninth-inning option.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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First launched in 1985, FIBO has become one of the earth’s foremost fitness and wellness-focused trade shows, with roughly 130,000 participants set to convene in Cologne, Germany in April 2026.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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Paul, a foremost Republican critic against Trump’s tariff policy, said the latest tariff, which Trump said would go into effect Aug. 1, could lead to a slippery slope that harms the U.S.’s economic standing and Wall Street.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Five minutes later, an own goal by Inter Miami defender Tomas Aviles, who was subbed into the match in the 19th minute, gave PSG a commanding 3-0 lead.—
Wayne Sterling,
CNN Money,
29 June 2025
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The Democratic Socialist state Assembly member defied expectations and took a commanding lead in Tuesday's New York City mayoral primary.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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But this is not the predominant architectural style found in all of Cincinnati's neighborhoods, explained Cincinnati Preservation Association executive director Beth Johnson, a working group member.—
Sydney Franklin,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
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There's near universal agreement that pay is a predominant factor in attracting and retaining teachers ― either to other schools or to other professions.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
One such fatwa was the one issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the previous supreme leader, against author Salman Rushdie, who was stabbed multiple times at the Chautauqua Institution in southwestern New York in 2022.—
Somayeh Malekian,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
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The supreme leader’s silence had sparked speculation about his whereabouts, with some Iranians even questioning his health.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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