principal 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl How to pronounce principal (audio)
Definition of principalnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

principal

2 of 3

adjective

ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl How to pronounce principal (audio)
1
as in main
coming before all others in importance our principal reason for coming here today

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chief
highest in rank or authority the principal researcher in the company's chemical division

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

principals

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural of principal
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of principal
Noun
The teacher relayed a part of the conversation in which the kids describe a girl disappearing into a room with several Sac High football players. Sept. 28, 2023 The teacher who sent the first couple reports sent another email to the principal the following day. —Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025 Wallace has been charged with simple escape and principal to help someone escape, according to Sticker. —Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 23 May 2025
Adjective
The fiesta patronal of La Virgen de la Puerta begins annually on Dec. 14, with the principal day observed on Dec. 15, and concludes on Dec. 16. —Caitlin Cipolla-McCulloch, The Conversation, 29 May 2025 Meredith McKenzie is the owner and principal designer at The Selective Design in Macon, Georgia. —Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
Noun
Clearly, the two principals in the trade are Gimenez and Horwitz. —Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 Other updates will limit the number of student assessments, while adding trainings for district superintendents, principals and teachers. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for principal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principal
  1. main
  2. chief
  3. primary
  4. foremost
  5. commanding
  6. predominant
  7. supreme
  8. dominant
Adjective
  • It was later expanded to include four main ventilation channels (and some 50,000 smaller shafts) serving seven levels, which could be closed off from the inside with a large rolling stone.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 May 2025
  • Greenwood never played for his boyhood club again, despite the charges being dropped in February 2023 when the prosecution’s main witness withdrew her cooperation.
    — Matt Slater, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Definition of main
Adjective
  • The best thing small businesses can do right now is to be flexible and diversify their sourcing and procurement strategies, says Tala Akhavan, chief operating officer of Pietra, a platform that helps brands with sourcing, production and logistics among other services.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
  • Michael serves as co-executive chair of Rhode’s board and Lauren is President and chief brand officer.
    — Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Definition of chief
Adjective
  • 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
  • Democratic mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks during a primary debate on June 4 in New York.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • 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
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • The Thunder will take a commanding 3-1 lead to their home court on Wednesday when the series shifts back to Oklahoma City.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025
  • There were the three thrilling games for the Florida Panthers against the Carolina Hurricanes in this Eastern Conference final, too, so full of drama and nastiness and easy wins to take a commanding 3-0 lead.
    — Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
Definition of commanding
Adjective
  • Mercantilism had been the predominant economic model of the prior two centuries, advocating for trade surpluses with all nations.
    — Sarah Keohane Williamson, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Fedde was using a steady four-pitch mix, with his sinker being the predominant pitch.
    — Katie Woo, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Definition of predominant
Adjective
  • There are not enough smart Americans alone to remain supreme in scientific research.
    — Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
  • Iran’s supreme leader has also downplayed the prospect of an imminent agreement with the U.S. on its nuclear capabilities, despite Trump’s public optimism.
    — Brett Samuels, The Hill, 21 May 2025
Definition of supreme
Adjective
  • Junior pitcher Kayla Schweich, a St. Cloud State commit, has been dominant in the circle for much of the year for Farmington, with Lexi Goring and Wisconsin commit Lila Johannsen filling out a lethal top of the order.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 June 2025
  • Edmonton has been just as dominant through the playoffs, coming back to beat Los Angeles in the first round before dispatching Vegas and Dallas.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2025
Definition of dominant

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Cite this Entry

“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

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