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
Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 7 June 2025
Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for Cox Automotive, said consumers need to understand that car loans are amortized so that each payment covers interest and principal.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 4 June 2025
James Horncastle, New York Times, 8 June 2025
The world’s two principal Islamist terror groups, ISIS and al Qaeda, represented here by Al-Shabaab, both operate openly in Somalia.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for principal
Noun
Not only does the monthly fee eat into the principal, but workers also lose the compound growth that would have accumulated on the balance, the study found.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 7 June 2025
Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for Cox Automotive, said consumers need to understand that car loans are amortized so that each payment covers interest and principal.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 4 June 2025
Adjective
For instance, unlike their two principal nemeses, Inter have never been caught up in a scandal punished by relegation.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 8 June 2025
The world’s two principal Islamist terror groups, ISIS and al Qaeda, represented here by Al-Shabaab, both operate openly in Somalia.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for principal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principal
Noun
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Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.—
Lauren Huff Published,
EW.com,
17 June 2025
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To put it another way: drafting Flagg or Harper would have given the Wizards their clearest, cleanest opportunity so far in their rebuild to draft someone who will be a future star.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
Israel hit Iran’s main enrichment site at Natanz, its leading nuclear scientists, and struck the heart of its ballistic missile program, Netanyahu said.—
Spencer Kimball,Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
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While the offensive was a strategic defeat for the communists, its main casualty was President Lyndon Johnson.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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 23 Jun. 2025.
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