Synonyms of principal

principal 1 of 2

noun

ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl 

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

• star
• lead
• headliner
• superstar
• leading man
• leading lady
• ingénue
• starlet
• ingenue
• costar
• coprincipal
• star turn

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extra
• supernumerary

principal

2 of 2

adjective

ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl 

1

as in main

coming before all others in importance

our principal reason for coming here today

Synonyms & Similar Words

• main
• primary
• greatest
• highest
• predominant
• foremost
• dominant
• chief
• first
• leading
• big
• key
• central
• supreme
• cardinal
• paramount
• overriding
• sovereign
• great
• premier
• prior
• capital
• master
• primal
• major
• distinguished
• overbearing
• number one
• top
• outstanding
• preeminent
• senior
• No. 1
• eminent
• grand
• overmastering
• sovran
• important
• illustrious
• notable
• arch
• prestigious
• noteworthy
• numero uno
• superior
• high-level
• influential
• signal
• stellar
• star
• noble
• significant
• famous
• unequalled
• incomparable
• mighty
• renowned
• momentous
• famed
• celebrated
• unparalleled
• unequaled
• unsurpassed
• matchless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• least
• last
• minor
• secondary
• unimportant
• negligible
• insignificant
• slight
• trivial
• subordinate
• collateral
• inferior
• trifling
• inconsiderable
• inconsequential
• subsidiary

2

as in chief

highest in rank or authority

the principal researcher in the company's chemical division

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chief
• presiding
• foremost
• primary
• commanding
• supreme
• top
• senior
• leading
• lead
• first
• high
• prime
• head
• main
• premier
• preeminent
• in charge
• major
• predominant
• supereminent
• high-level
• supervisory
• dominant
• managing
• paramount
• sovereign
• upper
• controlling
• overseeing
• reigning
• directing
• predominate
• ruling
• superior
• topmost
• uppermost
• officiating
• ascendant
• regnant
• sovran
• grand
• ascendent
• upmost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• secondary
• second
• last
• subordinate
• lower
• less
• lesser
• ancillary
• subsidiary
• inferior
• lowly
• assistant
• junior
• deputy
• assisting
• under
• coadjutor

Examples of principal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The film is about three students (led by Pierce in an acting role) who make a bet with their evil principal to succeed in business. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2024

He was brought in as a former high school principal here, after the devastation of COVID, which decimated our schools for well over a year. —Madeleine Parrish, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 2024

Adjective

As per the rules, the UK company must be responsible for everything from pre-production and principal photography to post-production, delivery of the finished film and payment of goods and services in relation to it. —Caroline Reid, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

The joint principal campaign events also come as Walz himself has made campaign stops related to early voting. —Isabella Murray, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2024