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
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Recent Examples of principal
Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
The final proposal that went to the World Motor Sport Council for an e-vote was decided by the FIA, F1 team principals, Formula One Management and the CEOs of the five engine manufacturers.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Mark Papier, principal meteorologist for AT&T, said his team depends on official data to provide a useful heads-up.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for principal
Noun
Florida State University Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Collins, a co-founder and managing principal of Forge Capital Partners, said there are things the university system Board of Governors and Legislature can do to keep Florida schools on a more competitive playing field.
—Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
The final proposal that went to the World Motor Sport Council for an e-vote was decided by the FIA, F1 team principals, Formula One Management and the CEOs of the five engine manufacturers.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Adjective
The clear allusion to Dubya set up his very big and important high-school vice-principal-ass pronouncement about a full embargo on goods being shipped to Mars.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Mark Papier, principal meteorologist for AT&T, said his team depends on official data to provide a useful heads-up.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for principal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principal
Noun
-
But what exactly happens to these baby stars next isn't always clear (literally) because they are buried deep within clouds of dark, dusty gas that obscure them.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Sudeikis stars and executive produces alongside Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, Jane Becker, Jamie Lee, and Bill Wrubel.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The deep main compartment is large enough to fit even straw hats and nicer shoes without squishing them, and this trunk looks equally right in an airport or the lobby of the Carlyle Hotel, Mom’s favorite.—
Amanda Eyre Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
-
The former senator is another big Democratic recruiting win and is a main reason why this state is a Toss-Up.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Also in attendance were NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, and Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer of Google.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Beauty as chief financial officer at just 35, Mandy Fields knows a little something about defying limits.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
By reducing interfacial resistance and suppressing the growth of lithium dendrites, the technology addresses a primary mechanical barrier to the commercial use of lithium metal anodes.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
-
First District voters will choose a Republican candidate in the May 5 primary election.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That nickname cemented itself in the 1990s, when the team became one of baseball’s foremost powers, winning the division title year after year, reaching the World Series five times and winning in 1995, and producing five Hall of Fame players.—
Andrew Kirell,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
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His melding of blues, country, and gospel music placed him among the foremost pioneers of rockabilly and ultimately defined the genre of rock and roll.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Senior midfielder Meghan O’Donnell, who scored her eighth goal of the season during Libertyville’s 3-2 win over Waubonsie Valley on Thursday, said Chung is a commanding presence.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Few materials feel so commanding and permanent as concrete.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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American Airlines, which is the predominant carrier at Miami International, and United Airlines, which also maintains a significant Florida presence, also pledged assistance.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Habeas petitions have become the predominant path for immigrants seeking release from detention.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In a sign of supreme confidence, management raised full-year capex guidance to as much as $190 billion — a jaw-dropping figure that signals Alphabet is playing for generational dominance, not quarterly optics.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
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Khamenei has not been seen in public since taking over as supreme leader following the killing of his father in the war’s opening airstrikes.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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