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
Those instructional leadership directors will supervise principals in their region.
—
Samuel O’Neal 16, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2026
Kia Banks, president of the Chicago Principals & Administrators Association, said principals have so far only prepared for a full day of attendance.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
While our principals are the instructional leaders of our schools, our Food & Nutrition Services department manages the technical operations of our kitchens.
—Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Unions representing teachers and principals reached tentative contract agreements with nation’s second-largest school district over the weekend.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
The breakthrough comes after the district reached tentative agreements Sunday with United Teachers Los Angeles, which represents roughly 37,000 educators, and Associated Administrators of Los Angeles/Teamsters Local 2010, which represents about 3,000 administrators and principals.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
The bankruptcy court has approved $10 million to pursue legal claims against former Prospect principals, with Leonard Green and Prospect’s former top executives, Lee and Topper, as the big targets.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 9 Apr. 2026
Power always revolves around the bloodlines, networks, fears, likes, and dislikes of the principals.
—Michael Sheridan, Vanity Fair, 8 Apr. 2026
The legal disputes involving the principals behind Open Cheer & Dance and the Varsity defendants predate the current litigation.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Samuel O’Neal 16, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2026
Kia Banks, president of the Chicago Principals & Administrators Association, said principals have so far only prepared for a full day of attendance.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
While our principals are the instructional leaders of our schools, our Food & Nutrition Services department manages the technical operations of our kitchens.
—Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Unions representing teachers and principals reached tentative contract agreements with nation’s second-largest school district over the weekend.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
The breakthrough comes after the district reached tentative agreements Sunday with United Teachers Los Angeles, which represents roughly 37,000 educators, and Associated Administrators of Los Angeles/Teamsters Local 2010, which represents about 3,000 administrators and principals.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
The bankruptcy court has approved $10 million to pursue legal claims against former Prospect principals, with Leonard Green and Prospect’s former top executives, Lee and Topper, as the big targets.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 9 Apr. 2026
Power always revolves around the bloodlines, networks, fears, likes, and dislikes of the principals.
—Michael Sheridan, Vanity Fair, 8 Apr. 2026
The legal disputes involving the principals behind Open Cheer & Dance and the Varsity defendants predate the current litigation.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principals
stars
Noun
-
In the 2024-25 season, the Sixers went 24-58 as the team dealt with injuries to their three biggest stars in Joel Embiid, Maxey and George.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The cast includes returning stars Bryan Cranston, Frankie Muniz, Jane Kaczmarek, Christopher Kennedy Masterson, Justin Berfield and Emy Coligado, alongside newcomers Keeley Karsten, Vaughan Murrae, Kiana Madeira and Caleb Ellsworth-Clark.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Principals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principals. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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