as in stars
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
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Recent Examples of principals
Forty-five percent of the principals agreed that the state letter grade system helps their school to plan improvements, and 47 percent disagreed.
—
Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026
The Oklahoman asked superintendents, principals, teachers, and guidance counselors from across the Oklahoma City area to participate in the Student of the Week program by sending nominations for their student.
—Darla Rivera, Oklahoman, 2 Mar. 2026
On average, principals in the district make between $126,298 and $141,946 a year.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 25 Feb. 2026
These threats and warnings have left teachers and principals, who historically have aimed to keep students safe when expressing their views, on tenterhooks.
—Jeffrey S. Solochek, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
The Education Department first told principals to prepare for the possibility of a remote snow day Friday night, when people were still out of town during the midwinter break.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
The Pentagon’s rush to embed artificial intelligence across combat operations has exposed tensions with Anthropic’s corporate principals, risking the firm’s $200 million contract.
—Ian Duncan, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2026
There were 12 students nominated as Middle Tennessee's best by principals, teachers and guidance counselors.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Feb. 2026
The four principals’ unmet personal and professional needs play out in unpredictable, funny and warm — as well as shattering — ways.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026
The Oklahoman asked superintendents, principals, teachers, and guidance counselors from across the Oklahoma City area to participate in the Student of the Week program by sending nominations for their student.
—Darla Rivera, Oklahoman, 2 Mar. 2026
On average, principals in the district make between $126,298 and $141,946 a year.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 25 Feb. 2026
These threats and warnings have left teachers and principals, who historically have aimed to keep students safe when expressing their views, on tenterhooks.
—Jeffrey S. Solochek, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
The Education Department first told principals to prepare for the possibility of a remote snow day Friday night, when people were still out of town during the midwinter break.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
The Pentagon’s rush to embed artificial intelligence across combat operations has exposed tensions with Anthropic’s corporate principals, risking the firm’s $200 million contract.
—Ian Duncan, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2026
There were 12 students nominated as Middle Tennessee's best by principals, teachers and guidance counselors.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Feb. 2026
The four principals’ unmet personal and professional needs play out in unpredictable, funny and warm — as well as shattering — ways.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principals
stars
Noun
-
During the final stretch of 2025, Tien reached Beijing’s China Open final, captured his maiden tour title at Metz, France, and closed the season by winning the Next Gen ATP Finals (for top players 20-and-younger) — results that marked him as one of the tour’s fastest-rising young stars.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Portside Wood Round Dining Table Set For dining under the sun or stars, this elevated dining set checks all the boxes.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Principals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principals. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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