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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of principal
Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Goslar has spent over two decades as principal at Michael Anderson, a K-8 school with over 700 students.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025
Uriah Heep In the Criterion Edition DVD commentary for This Is Spinal Tap, Shearer mentioned that the film’s keyboard player, John Sinclair, had recently returned from touring with Uriah Heep just as principal photography was set to begin.
—Alex Heigl, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principal
Noun
Horner was Red Bull's first team principal, and performed the role for two decades before being ousted after the 2025 British Grand Prix.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Goslar has spent over two decades as principal at Michael Anderson, a K-8 school with over 700 students.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
McDonnell’s role has not been disclosed for Disney+’s Vision show that wrapped principal photography over the summer.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025
Uriah Heep In the Criterion Edition DVD commentary for This Is Spinal Tap, Shearer mentioned that the film’s keyboard player, John Sinclair, had recently returned from touring with Uriah Heep just as principal photography was set to begin.
—Alex Heigl, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principal
Noun
-
At the end of their week, campers get a chance to perform their band’s songs live with the stars.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
In general, teams that acquire a star player do better in the short term than the team getting multiple role players and draft picks in exchange for one top-level asset.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The character collection leans into more alternate builds for main characters.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Use jig and pigs 18 to 25 feet deep along brush piles or main lake points with a gradual slope.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Professionally, Austin remains close to the game as the chief operating officer of sports analytics company Pro Football Focus.—
Nasha Smith,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent at The New York Times, said last night.—
The Editors,
The Atlantic,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Last week, Reuters reported that Pulte’s own father and stepmother had declared two homes in two different states as their primary residence, prompting a town in Michigan to remove a tax exemption for their home there and charge the couple for back taxes.—
Chris Prentice,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
But today, technology was not his primary concern.—
Elie Ofek,
Harvard Business Review,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In 1951, Husseini’s associates murdered one of his foremost rivals, King Abdullah of Jordan.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Ryan Hohman,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Andersen, who previously worked for the San Antonio Police Department, has ruddy cheeks and a commanding presence.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Irvine ran the ball, passed the ball and slowed down Laguna Hills’ uptempo offense with a commanding defensive display.—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Advertisement Lee grew up near Manchester’s Christ Church of the Church of England, but struggled to understand their beliefs, never fitting in with the predominant religion.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Should contempt become the predominant way that two partners communicate with one another, one or both will eventually reach a breaking point.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Complete with the largest coral atoll in Mexico, this is a supreme destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Tatis is a supreme defender in right field, but with center fielder Jackson Merrill still in the throes of a sophomore slump, Tatis’ offensive form — or lack thereof — will largely determine the team’s trajectory.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share