principal 1 of 2

noun

ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl How to pronounce principal (audio)
Definition of principalnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

principal

2 of 2

adjective

ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl How to pronounce principal (audio)
1
as in main
coming before all others in importance our principal reason for coming here today

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chief
highest in rank or authority the principal researcher in the company's chemical division

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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
Noun
Alzubi was named principal of Western Hills High School in May, but four days later the school district reassigned her after online backlash over her old social media posts. — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026 In this room, Danielle Flax, principal at Danielle Flax Interiors in Annapolis, Maryland, not only painted the ceiling, but every bit of trim as well. — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 14 July 2026
Adjective
In this home, Michelle Woolley Sauter, principal designer and owner of One Coast Design in Charleston, South Carolina, used the same color on the walls as the ceiling, enveloping the space in a cozy warm beige. — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 14 July 2026 But Leah Hook, founder and principal designer of Gray Oak Studio in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, urges homeowners not to go overboard. — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for principal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principal
  1. star
  2. main
  3. chief
  4. primary
  5. foremost
  6. predominant
  7. commanding
  8. dominant
Noun
  • At halftime on the field of play at the New York New Jersey Stadium, megawatt stars including Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, and Justin Bieber will take to the stage, co-signing a handful of designers.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 16 July 2026
  • Fans suspected something was off when star and producer Blake Lively and costar-director Justin Baldoni abstained from doing joint press — or even being photographed together — during the film's promotional tour.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
Definition of star
Adjective
  • Of the 33 schools awarded grants, 19 schools opted for main entrance improvements while 14 chose to modernize their check-in and visitor badging systems.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • India’s main stock index last month outperformed other emerging markets by the most since November, and foreign outflows hit a four-month low.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • In January, Mykhailo Fedorov, who had recently been named Ukraine’s defense minister, outlined one of his chief strategic goals.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
  • The optimistic, neutral, and pessimistic cases A chief reason to put orbital data centers in space is the free, limitless power from the Sun.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Definition of chief
Adjective
  • Leaving spring training, one of the primary concerns for the Rangers was its bullpen, and halfway through the season this group ranks 10th in MLB.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026
  • The district’s surveillance traps show numbers of Culex mosquitos — the primary vectors of West Nile virus — are at their highest.
    — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • With Disney serving as popular culture’s foremost purveyor of such retreads, the formula for what makes a live-action remake hit or miss with audiences could hardly seem less formulaic.
    — Chris Lee, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    — Radu Magdin, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • The Hightower family is closely connected with the worship of the Seven, the predominant faith of Westeros, and Ormund seems to be a model believer.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
  • Menus change every few days but always feature fresh, whole, plant-predominant foods.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Definition of predominant
Adjective
  • Edwards, who had been the commanding officer of HSC-5 since July 2025, was posthumously promoted to captain, the Navy said in a statement.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
  • And beyond all the light and magic of their goals, this was just a very commanding team performance.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of commanding
Adjective
  • Then Ryan played his part in achieving those goals Sunday, posting a dominant performance in New York.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • The Angels dropped their fifth straight and 11th in 17 games, while Gray’s six-game run of dominant quality starts continues despite an All-Star snub.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of dominant

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princesses
principal
principalities
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Cite this Entry

“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of principal for Spanish Speakers

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