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
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
-
There is not normally an upside to losing a star player through injury for a lengthy period, but Kaoru Mitoma’s absence from the last 16 games of the 2023-24 season had a silver lining for Brighton & Hove Albion.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Meanwhile, Elizabeth took off, Joel started drinking and this marked the beginning of a spiral for the star.—
Daniela Avila,
People.com,
6 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
-
While the official investigation is still underway, early video and expert reviews have pointed to a few main theories.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
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
-
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 gluteus medius muscle, a smaller buttock muscle located underneath the gluteus maximus, is the primary muscle supporting the pelvis. 4.—
Aubrey Bailey,
Verywell Health,
5 June 2025
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Joe Schoen and Daboll already are giving a ton of key players days and weeks off this spring, limiting the football that some of their primary contributors are playing.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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The foremost conflict playing out across the Middle East today is between Israel and Iran, a nation that already possesses a sophisticated and large-scale nuclear program.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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The defending champions must find a way to slow down the duo of Draisaitl and Connor McDavid in Game 2, or the series could be heading to Florida with the Oilers holding a commanding 2-0 lead.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
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Early polls, such as an Inside California Politics/Emerson survey show her with a commanding 31% to 8% lead over former Rep. Katie Porter, who was in second, among likely voters.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
But the predominant theme of the debate was Cuomo facing attacks from the eight other candidates, who laced into him on everything from public safety and education to affordable housing production and the ex-governor’s integrity.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
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Apparently natural selection among the Uru, Aymara and Quechua peoples of the Bolivian Altiplano took DNA sequences that are present but rare in other populations around the world and increased their frequency to the point where the normally uncommon sequences are predominant in these groups.—
Kermit Pattison,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
In 27-year-old Guimaraes, 25-year-old Tonali, and 28-year-old Joelinton, Howe possesses a midfield three which combines athleticism, energy, power, aggression and supreme quality.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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My brother and many of my close friends paid the supreme sacrifice.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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