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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of principal
Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 17 Dec. 2024
During a surprise party celebrating Seymour Skinner’s run as principal of Springfield Elementary for 20 years, a mysterious guest crashes the festivities.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 17 Dec. 2024
There’s more opportunity for growth, but also less principal protection and higher fees.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for principal 
Noun
Jonathon Vento, principal of development company True North Studio, has overseen the renovation of several well known downtown buildings such as The Nash and The Knipe House.
—Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 17 Dec. 2024
During a surprise party celebrating Seymour Skinner’s run as principal of Springfield Elementary for 20 years, a mysterious guest crashes the festivities.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
The two principal sessions are Jan. 9 and 16, according to the memo; the presidential inauguration is Jan. 20.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 17 Dec. 2024
There’s more opportunity for growth, but also less principal protection and higher fees.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for principal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principal
Noun
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Viggo Mortensen, one of Alonso’s recurrent collaborators, stars as a father searching for his daughter in the first segment set in the Old West, which cleverly gives way to present-day South Dakota, and eventually to the Brazilian Amazon a few decades in the past.Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
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RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 3 winner, musician, and TV star Trixie Mattel announced Monday in a new YouTube video that she and longtime partner and Trixie Motel costar David Silver have broken up.EW.com, EW.com, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Visual China Group | Getty Images China kept its main benchmark lending rates unchanged on Friday, as Beijing faces the challenge of bolstering economic growth while backstopping a weakening yuan.Sonia Heng,Anniek Bao, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
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Fertilizers are made up of three main nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).Charlotte Minnick, Hartford Courant, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Along with Leaf, former special envoy for Syria Daniel Rubinstein and the Biden administration's chief envoy for hostage negotiations, Roger Carstens, joined the meetings with interim leaders and members of civil society.ABBY SEWELL AND MATTHEW LEE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 21 Dec. 2024
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Pet supply retailer Petco has seen that growth, said Dr. Whitney Miller, the chain's chief veterinarian.Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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On top of that, the card provides trip delay reimbursement, trip interruption and cancellation protection, primary car rental collision insurance, cell phone protection and purchase protection.Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024
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Some experts have expressed doubt the bird strikes could be the primary cause of the crash.Conor Murray, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.Nadezhda Kosareva, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
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Sister Jen is one of the foremost academy students, who displays an uncanny level of common sense, uncensored intuition, and outspokenness that might make her one of the frontrunners to claim a leadership role should tragedy befall her stoic-but-flawed mentors, Valya and Tula.Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Knicks outscored the Raptors 40-24 in the second quarter and 31-18 in the third, building a commanding 29-point lead heading into the final period.Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 24 Dec. 2024
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The Philadelphia Eagles improved to 12-2 on Sunday with a commanding 27-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the battle of Pennsylvania.Mike DeFabo, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Chin-Hong said there are two predominant strains of the virus circulating: H1N1 and H3N2, with the latter virus associated with more severe disease, which may be causing the surges of hospitalizations abroad.Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
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That’s the predominant note for the first couple tastes, before the whisky gradually opens up into freshly baked bread, vanilla glaze, and Hawaiian sweet rolls.David Thomas Tao, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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With its advent are chased from our minds unholy impulses, and in their stead reign supreme and golden fruitings of the present, and the diamond seedings of the great future.Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Dec. 2024
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Female artists reign supreme:Spotify Wrapped 2024 shows defining trend Looking for your next great read?Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 4 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near principal
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.
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