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
Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Later, O’Mara worked in Tyler, Texas, as the principal of a Catholic high school from 1978 until 1986.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 28 May 2026
Fertilizer prices track the cost of natural gas, one of their principal production inputs, meaning energy shocks ripple directly into the agricultural markets.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for principal
Noun
But the evening before testing began last week, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools principals were told to take the encouraging posters down.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Later, O’Mara worked in Tyler, Texas, as the principal of a Catholic high school from 1978 until 1986.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Adjective
That lingering inventory, which has drawn criticism from fans who believe the list prices are unreasonable, is a principal feature of the governing body’s ticket pricing strategy.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 28 May 2026
Fertilizer prices track the cost of natural gas, one of their principal production inputs, meaning energy shocks ripple directly into the agricultural markets.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for principal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principal
Noun
-
According to News 12, the 43-year-old reality star told VUE Magazine about his plans to enter the political sphere at their spring edition party on Thursday night.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
After its recent $50 million expansion, the Banyan Tree Mayakoba is the star of the Mayakoba development in Playa del Carmen, with 34 private beachfront pool suites and a brand-new beach club with an infinity pool overlooking the ocean.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Kevin Cook, the venue’s main host and inarguably the reigning queen of drag in Portland.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Pashinyan’s main rival is the Strong Armenia Party, which wants closer business ties with Russia and accuses Pashinyan of attempting to spark a war with Moscow.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
California State Controller primary election results The California State Controller is the state's chief accountant, maintaining the state's financial condition and conducting audits on state funds.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
As an independent business, FedEx Freight is the LTL market leader in annual revenue, surpassing chief rivals including Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL), Estes Express Lines and XPO.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
California will have to wait before knowing the final outcome of the June 2 gubernatorial primary election as the country’s most populous state continues counting ballots.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
-
Millions of Californians filled out their 2026 primary election ballots over the last several weeks either at home or at the polls, expressing their constitutional right to vote in a free and fair election.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Silverman, who leads one of the world’s foremost corporate investigations and risk advisory firms, calls that a category error.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
-
Karen Martin, a professor of biology at Pepperdine University and foremost expert on the creatures, will be in attendance, as will retired State Parks ranger Jim Serpa, who ran the program for three decades and helped resurrect it a few years ago.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento took a commanding lead in the race for the District 2 seat on the OC Board of Supervisors as results were released following the close of polls Tuesday night.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
-
Ellis is the commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson in Colorado.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
American resumes flights American Airlines, the predominant carrier at Miami International Airport, resumed its service to Venezuela between Miami and Caracas in late April after a multi-year hiatus.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
28 May 2026
-
During the Indianapolis 500 Sunday, Busch was honored on the 18th lap of the race, 18 being the predominant number on his stock car.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
Blue Moon Mark 1 Blue Origin’s cargo lander has emerged as the supreme workhorse of the early stages of NASA’s Artemis program and Moon Base.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
-
The 56-year-old supreme leader, who hasn’t been seen in public since succeeding his slain father in March, didn’t suggest there were new stumbling blocks in the talks.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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